About KTP
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) are the Government's premier "knowledge transfer" mechanism providing the framework and resources to support company-academic collaborations. KTP are currently supporting 800 companies throughout the UK, 100 of these in Scotland.
Both large companies and SMEs (Small to Medium-sized Enterprises) are eligible, with 80% of Programmes involving SMEs. Up to 67% grant support is available.
KTP operates by building partnerships between companies and academic institutions. The partnership develops a Knowledge Transfer Programme focused on meeting the needs/solving a problem of the industrial partner through technology transfer.
Companies typically use Knowledge Transfer Partnerships to help them to:
Develop new products or improve existing ones.
Increase efficiency through improved business processes.
Enter new markets.
Increase the company's skill base.
Knowledge is transferred via a recent graduate working within the Company with mentoring from an academic expert.
In order to qualify for KTP, a Programme should:
be innovative, challenging and have a major impact on the company partner;
have clear deliverables;
be at least 12 months work;
lead to an increase in profits.