Knowledge Transfer Partnerships: driving innovation

If you are a private or third sector organisation with an idea but without all the in-house expertise needed to develop it, a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) or a Management Knowledge Transfer Partnership may be the perfect solution.

Find out more about partnering with us on Management Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, or if you're unsure about a full KTP project, learn more about Accelerated Knowledge Transfer.

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Introducing Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

The mission of a KTP is to strengthen the competitiveness, wealth creation and economic performance of the UK by the enhancement of knowledge and skills and the stimulation of innovation through collaborative projects between business and the knowledge base.

KTP projects are not currently available for public sector organisations, however, these projects are a great opportunity for partners and organisations you work with across the private and third sector, regardless of their size.

A KTP partnership is a sum of three parts; a business partner, academic partner and associate.

Business partner: the business the project is supporting

Academic partner: the University supporting the project

Associate: key person working on the project managed by an academic with relevant expertise

Working with Forth Valley business

Mark Gordon talks about how knowledge transfer partnerships benefits and brings together academia, government and business.

How a knowledge transfer partnership can help your business

  • Embed expertise, generate new knowledge, expand capability, and foster a culture of innovation.
  • Drive competitive advantage through accelerated innovation and the possibility of creating intellectual property.
  • Gain privileged and cost-effective access to the UK’s world-class knowledge base and resources.
  • Increase revenue/profits through access to new markets, new product development, increased productivity, and better processes.
  • Benefit from the strategic input of a highly experienced knowledge transfer adviser.

Up to 75% funding available

A substantial part of the cost of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership is funded by a grant from Innovate UK or other government co-funders and can be applied for by the Knowledge Base partner making a submission that has been developed in partnership with the business partner.

The remainder of the project cost is met through a cash payment by the Business Partner.

Grant rates for project costs

  • third sector and not for profit organisations: 75%
  • small and medium-sized enterprises: 67%
  • Large companies: 50%.

Knowledge Transfer Partnership information

Why a KTP exceeds the benefits of employing a graduate

The cost of a KTP is comparable to employing a well-qualified graduate, but includes so much more:

  • Access to the exceptional resources of the University.
  • A dedicated team to deliver a strategic project.
  • Expert academic input bringing a breadth and depth of knowledge to support the graduate and the project.
  • The consultancy of a highly experienced Knowledge Transfer adviser who is there at every stage to support and help the project succeed.
  • The partnership introduces new capabilities and embeds knowledge.
  • The risk of developing the innovation project i shared with the government co-funders.
  • The wider support and opportunities offered by links to the Knowledge Transfer Network – one of Innovate UK’s delivery partners.

Terms and conditions apply.

Examples of typical KTP projects

  • Improving existing products or developing new products.
  • Developing new systems and frameworks to improve efficiencies in staff or processes.
  • Streamlining a design, manufacturing, or logistics process.
  • Development of diagnostic/analytical tools.
  • Introduction of new capabilities.
  • New strategy development such as management, HR or marketing.

Partnership information

  • Projects last between 1-3 years.
  • Associates are recruited by the business partner and academic.
  • The Associates have an academic supervisor.
  • The Associate has supervision both virtual and face-to face at the business.
  •  The project must have strategic relevance to the business and be stimulating and challenging for the academic team.
  • Clear knowledge transfer.
  • Project must create new embedded capability.
  • Benefits are likely to accrue.

 

Partner with the University of Stirling

All faculties at the University of Stirling can support organisations through consultancy. We’ve helped businesses around the world to achieve their goals by sharing our research-based expertise.

Researchers can bring the latest findings from their field directly into your business, acting as impartial advisers on your ventures or taking on fully-fledged project team roles.

As well as expanding the business’s knowledge base, working with our world-class researchers can open the door to a global network of related academics and professionals.

How Scotland's International Environment Centre brings together business solutions with the Faculty of Natural Sciences

Scotland’s International Environment Centre (SEIC) is a centre of environmental innovation excellence, focusing on delivering net zero solutions and enabling clean economic growth.

It's a regional and national catalyst – growing environmental innovation capability, capacity and impact by:

  • building strategic partnerships across industry;
  • developing and embedding sustainable practices;
  • growing the next generation of net zero businesses;
  • creating a regional talent pool and opportunities for clean growth.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences is most closely aligned to the aims of the SEIC with its focus on finding solutions to global issues as fundamental as land, food and water.

The Faculty has a variety of scientific specialisms that may be employed by your business for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership project.

  • Aquaculture: Tackling global problems of sustainable food security through innovative teaching and research.
  • Biology and Environmental Sciences: Researching answers to critical questions about geography, biodiversity, biology, people and the environment.
  • Computing Science and Mathematics: Combining cutting-edge research in predictive modelling and data science with their application in multiple domains.
  • Psychology: Fostering original, world-class research addressing fundamental questions about the mind and behaviour.

Why a KTP exceeds the benefits of employing a graduate

The cost of a KTP is comparable to employing a well-qualified graduate, but includes so much more:

  • Access to the exceptional resources of the University.
  • A dedicated team to deliver a strategic project.
  • Expert academic input bringing a breadth and depth of knowledge to support the graduate and the project.
  • The consultancy of a highly experienced Knowledge Transfer Adviser who is there at every stage to support and help the project succeed.
  • The partnership introduces new capabilities and embeds knowledge.
  • The risk of developing the innovation project is shared with the government co-funders.
  • The wider support and opportunities offered by links to the Knowledge Transfer Network – one of Innovate UK’s delivery partners.

Terms and conditions apply.

Contact us

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are not new, and have been helping businesses innovate for growth for over 45 years. You can engage with the University of Stirling with confidence.