Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)

Accelerated Knowledge Transfer Partnerships 6

Supports rapid partnerships between United Kingdom businesses and academic teams to transfer innovation into commercialization.

Accelerated Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Round 6 (AKT 6) is a GBP 2.5 million Innovate UK programme that operates as a fast-track variant of the standard KTP scheme. Like its parent programme, AKT 6 funds three-party collaborations in which a UK business, an academic institution (or Research and Technology Organisation or Catapult), and an embedded KTP Associate — a skilled recent graduate — work together to deliver a defined innovation project. AKT rounds are smaller and less frequent than standard KTP rounds and are listed as currently open on the Innovate UK competition homepage alongside KTP 2026–27 Round 2.

The programme follows the same eligibility and cost-share structure as the standard KTP: SMEs receive approximately 67% of eligible project costs funded by grant; large businesses receive approximately 50%. Project durations are typically 12 to 36 months. The key distinction is an expedited assessment and delivery process, making AKT 6 appropriate for businesses that have already scoped a collaboration and need funding decisions more quickly than a standard round allows. All R&D work must be conducted in the UK, and the business must be UK-registered.

Applicants to AKT 6 should note that the smaller pool size means strong preparation is critical. Bids benefit most from a pre-existing relationship with an academic partner, a tightly defined knowledge transfer objective, and clear evidence of the commercial return the collaboration will generate. Businesses without an academic contact should check iuk-ktp.org.uk for partner-matching support before applying.