Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a funded programme that connects businesses with academic institutions to help companies access the knowledge and expertise needed to drive innovation and growth. KTPs facilitate the collaboration between businesses and universities to develop new products, services, and processes and improve existing ones.
The KTP programme typically involves a three-way partnership between a business, an academic institution, and a recent graduate, known as a KTP Associate, who works within the company to implement new ideas and knowledge.
KTPs offer several benefits to businesses, most notably unrivalled access to academic expertise, including cutting-edge research and the very latest technological advances. They also provide tailored solutions to specific business challenges and opportunities; the KTP Associate works with the business to identify and address areas of need, developing and implementing solutions that meet the company’s specific requirements. Through this process, the business’s existing staff will benefit, as their skills and knowledge will be enhanced over the lifetime of the project. These benefits result in increased competitiveness, as businesses are able to introduce new ideas, technologies and processes, leading to increased productivity, efficiency and profitability.
KTPs are partially funded by the government, making them a cost-effective way for businesses to access academic expertise and knowledge. This funding can also help to support the implementation of new ideas and projects.
Businesses interested in getting involved with Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) will need to take the following steps:
- Identify a specific business challenge or opportunity that requires knowledge and expertise from an academic institution. This could include developing a new product, improving a manufacturing process, or exploring new technologies.
- Contact a Knowledge Transfer Adviser (KTA) at a Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO), who can provide guidance on the KTP process and help to identify suitable academic partners. KTOs can be found at universities and research organizations throughout the UK.
- Collaborate with the academic partner to develop a proposal outlining the project’s objectives, outcomes, and deliverables. The proposal should also detail the role of the KTP Associate and how they will work with the business to achieve the project’s goals.
- Apply for funding from Innovate UK, the government agency that funds KTPs. The application process involves submitting a detailed proposal and undergoing a review process to assess the project’s suitability.
- Once the project is approved, recruit a KTP Associate to work within the business, implementing the project and working with the academic partner to achieve the project’s objectives.
- Monitor and evaluate the project’s progress, ensuring that it is meeting the desired outcomes and delivering the expected benefits to the business.
