Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Name	Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Founded	0 1975
Location	United Kingdom
Key people	Innovate UK
Website	https://www.ktp-uk.org/

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is a flagship program in the United Kingdom designed to foster collaboration between businesses and academic institutions. Administered by Innovate UK alongside other funding bodies, it facilitates the transfer of expertise and research to drive innovation. The scheme supports projects across diverse sectors, from advanced manufacturing to creative industries.

Overview

The program operates as a three-way partnership between a company, a knowledge base partner such as a university, and an associate. Core funding is provided by Innovate UK and other bodies like Research England and the Scottish Funding Council. It aims to help businesses improve their competitiveness and productivity by accessing academic research and technical skills. Historically, the scheme has evolved from earlier initiatives like the Teaching Company Scheme.

Structure and operation

A typical project involves embedding a recently qualified graduate, known as an associate, within a host company for a period of one to three years. The associate works on a strategic project co-developed by the company and the academic partner, such as Cranfield University or the University of Strathclyde. Supervision is provided jointly by a company supervisor and an academic from the knowledge base, ensuring the project aligns with both business needs and research excellence. Financial contributions are shared between the public grant and the business partner.

Benefits and impact

For businesses, the primary benefits include access to cutting-edge research from institutions like the University of Oxford and the development of new products or processes. Academic partners gain valuable insights into industrial challenges and opportunities for applied research, often leading to publications or further collaboration with organizations like the Royal Academy of Engineering. Associates receive specialized training, a formal qualification such as a Postgraduate diploma, and significant career development. Economic assessments often highlight contributions to Gross value added and job creation.

Eligibility and application process

Eligible organizations include UK-based businesses of any size, from small and medium-sized enterprises to large public limited companies like Rolls-Royce Holdings. The knowledge base partner must be a UK higher education institution, further education college, or research organization such as the Pirbright Institute. The application process involves developing a detailed proposal with the academic partner, which is submitted to Innovate UK for assessment against criteria including innovation, need, and potential impact. Successful applications are awarded grant funding.

History and development

The scheme originated in 1975 as the Teaching Company Scheme, established by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Science and Engineering Research Council. It was rebranded to its current name in 2003 to reflect a broader focus on knowledge transfer beyond traditional engineering. Key developments include the expansion of funding partners to include devolved administrations and the inclusion of the creative industries as a target sector. Landmark reviews have been conducted by bodies such as the National Audit Office.

Examples and case studies

Notable successes include a partnership between Marks & Spencer and the University of Leeds to develop sustainable packaging solutions. In aerospace, Airbus collaborated with the University of Bristol on advanced composite materials research. A project involving Diageo and Heriot-Watt University focused on optimizing distillation processes. In the public sector, National Health Service trusts have worked with institutions like Imperial College London on digital health technologies. These cases often receive recognition through awards like the MacRobert Award.

Category:Innovation in the United Kingdom Category:Research and development in the United Kingdom Category:Science and technology in the United Kingdom