Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2025 – 2026 Round 3

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme allows a UK registered business or not for profit organisation to partner with a UK higher/further education institution, research and technology organisation (RTO) or Catapult, for a 12-36 month project bringing academic expertise into business.

The KTP partnership brings new skills and the latest academic thinking into the business partner (which can be a business or not-for-profit organisation) to deliver a specific, strategic innovation project. The knowledge base partner (HE or FE education institution, RTO or Catapult) recruits the ‘associate’ to work on the project. The associate has the opportunity to lead a strategic development within the business, developing new skills and gaining valuable experience.

Guidance on how to apply for a KTP is available.

Each application must be led by a knowledge base, working with a business partner and supported by a Knowledge Transfer Adviser. If you are a business and do not yet have a relationship with a knowledge base partner, the Knowledge Transfer Adviser can help you to identify one. Find your local Knowledge Transfer Adviser here.

It takes time to prepare an application. If yours will not be ready before the close date, please apply to a later round. Visit the KTP website to find out more about the programme and the current associate roles available for graduates.

• Each Knowledge Transfer partnership (KTP) is a partnership between the following:
• a UK knowledge base, acting as lead organisation and submitting the application
• a UK registered business, not for profit organisation or eligible public sector organisation, with two or more full time equivalent employees
  

We use the term ‘business partner’ for businesses, public sector organisations, not for profit organisations, charities or charitable businesses. Public sector organisations can only apply for a Management KTP.

Business partners cannot work alone. They must develop the project with a UK knowledge base who can provide the right skills to meet the knowledge gap within the business. We encourage business partners to approach Innovate UK Business Connect or knowledge bases to discuss the suitability of KTP for their specific circumstances and find an application partner.

• We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to making our application process accessible to everyone. This includes making reasonable adjustments, for people who have a disability or a long term condition and face barriers applying to us.
  
  

You can contact us at any time to ask for guidance.

We recommend you contact us at least 15 working days before this competition’s closing date to allow us to put the most suitable support in place. The support we can provide may be limited if you contact us close to the competition deadline.

You can contact Innovate UK by email or call 0300 321 4357. Our phone lines are open from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm UK time, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

• Your application must be for a specific, strategic innovation project that tackles one or more challenges faced by the business partner.
  
  

It can be any kind of project and must show:

• why the business needs this Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)
• what new knowledge is required by the business
• what new capabilities will be embedded as a result of the KTP
  
  

The Grant Contribution To Your Project May Be Funded Wholly Or In Part By One Or More Of The KTP Financial Supporters. You Must Choose At Least One Of The Following Financial Supporters

• UKRI KTP (Innovate UK)
• Invest Northern Ireland
• Scottish Funding Council
• Welsh Government
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
  
  

Typically, a project’s total costs are £8,500 per month. Projects must be between 12 and 36 months. A proportion of the knowledge base partners’ costs (up to 67% for SMEs) will be funded by Innovate UK or another financial supporter. The remainder of the project costs are paid by the business partner.

KTPs are typically advertised on a full-time basis. Associates may apply to work on a flexible basis for the duration of the project via the employer’s flexible working policy.

• If your application is successful, the business and academic supervisors are expected to attend the Supervisors Workshop.
  
  

These half day workshops are run by Innovate UK Business Connect and delivered online.

Additional support from the Welsh Government

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a core component of Wales’ RD&I offer to businesses. This offer allows eligible micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) businesses to claim 75% of the project costs of a KTP.

To be eligible for this additional support the delivery of the project must be within Wales and the business must meet the definition of an SME. Virtual projects where the business is registered at an address in Wales are also eligible.

Workshops generally take place within one month of the knowledge base receiving notification that the project will receive funding. Successful applicants will be notified of the dates.

Find out more and apply