Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)

KTP to Round 2

Funds three-way collaboration among universities, companies, and industry experts to translate knowledge into product-led growth.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) 2026 to 2027 Round 2 is a GBP 10 million Innovate UK programme that funds structured three-party innovation collaborations between a UK business, an academic institution (or Research and Technology Organisation or Catapult), and a KTP Associate — a skilled recent graduate embedded in the business for the duration of the project. The programme has supported more than 14,000 organisations historically, with over 800 projects active at any time and more than GBP 50 million invested annually. Eligible sectors include manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food distribution, energy, artificial intelligence, dairy, environmental monitoring, construction, and transportation.

SMEs receive approximately 67% of total project costs funded by grant; large businesses receive approximately 50%, with applicants covering the remaining share. Project durations typically run 12 to 36 months. The KTP Associate is employed by the academic partner and supervised jointly, bringing academic expertise directly into the business operation. Catapults count as eligible academic partners, which is useful for businesses without existing university relationships. Applications go through a Discover–Develop–Deliver cycle supported by Innovate UK KTP advisers before formal submission via the Innovation Funding Service.

To succeed in Round 2, businesses must demonstrate a clearly defined strategic challenge, a genuine knowledge gap addressable through academic expertise, and a measurable commercial outcome from the collaboration. Early engagement with an Innovate UK KTP adviser is strongly recommended to shape the project scope, identify an appropriate academic partner, and refine the application before the round closes.