Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Access Kent's academic knowledge, technology and skills with funding from Innovate UK.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are Innovate UK-funded projects through which highly-qualified graduates, supported by academic partners, help implement business solutions.
KTPs currently support around 800 businesses, 100 knowledge bases and over 850 graduates and between 2010-2020, generated over £2 billion for the UK economy.
Through the KTP scheme we can help you:
Partnerships with lasting impact
We're much stronger now technically as a result of our Knowledge Transfer Partnership.
If you have a strategic innovation project in mind, or a problem you would like to overcome, share it with our dedicated KTP team.
We will help you identify and connect with University of Kent academics with the expertise and skills to make your project happen.
We will cost the project and support you to apply for funding with guidance from a knowledgeable KTP Advisor from Innovate UK.
We'll work with you to recruit a recently qualified graduate who will deliver the KTP from within your company. They will have weekly catch ups with the academic team who will dedicate at least half a day a week to supporting the project.
You will work closely with the Associate, academics and our Research and Innovation Support team to keep the project on track to achieve your strategic objectives over 12-36 months.
At the end of the project, we'll work with you to reflect on the success of the project and submit a report to Innovate UK for grading. This is an excellent opportunity to publicise what you've achieved and start thinking about your next project...
UK-based business of any size can take part in a KTP. This includes not-for-profit organisations such as social enterprises, charities and some public sector organisations. Within KTP these partners are always referred to as ‘the business’
The following UK based public sector bodies may apply for a management KTP:
Bodies not eligible for KTP funding include:
Projects can be anywhere between 1 - 3 years and have a generous training budget provided as well as resources for consumables and expenses.
A dedicated graduate or postgraduate, known as an Associate, is employed by the university but located within the business and will work full time at your organisation. The Associate provides a valuable link between the business and academic teams to enable key expertise and knowledge to be transferred.
KTPs always include a highly experienced academic team who sit within the university providing key input and direction.
A KTP is part-funded by a grant. A typical KTP project delivers a package of support valued at around £80,000 to £100,000 per year. This includes the costs of:
The proportion of the costs covered by KTP varies according to several factors. Typically, the grant rates are:
Businesses will need to fund the remaining cost of the project but may be able to use R&D tax relief to recoup some of these costs.
KTPs cost on average £88k per year with SMEs contributing on average £29k pa and Large Organisations £44k pa.
Our experienced KTP team can help you explore whether the KTP scheme is right for your business.
