Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership

Knowledge Transfer Partnership Round 2

Supports United Kingdom universities and businesses through knowledge transfer partnerships that embed expertise into practical development.

Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) 2026–27 Round 2 is the second funding cycle of the 2026–27 financial year under Innovate UK's long-running KTP programme, which has partnered UK businesses with academic expertise across all technology sectors for decades. This specific round carries a total fund of £10,000,000 and opened on 20 May 2026 with a closing date of 24 June 2026 at 11:00am UK time. Projects run for 12 to 36 months, with a graduate Associate employed by the academic partner but embedded full-time within the business to transfer specialist knowledge and drive concrete innovation outcomes.

Eligible applicants must form a partnership between a UK-registered business of any size — minimum two full-time employees — and an academic institution, further education college, research and technology organisation (RTO), or Catapult centre. The academic partner submits the joint application. Innovate UK covers the majority of project costs; the business partner contributes approximately one-third to one-half, with SMEs typically paying £35,000 or more per year and large companies £50,000 or more annually. IP protection and overhead costs are eligible under standard terms.

KTP suits organisations lacking in-house expertise who need a structured knowledge-transfer relationship rather than a consultancy engagement. The academic partner's involvement brings both the Associate and ongoing supervisory support, and applications are assessed on economic growth potential and wider societal impact. Decision timelines run approximately 12 weeks from submission. Businesses should engage a prospective academic partner before the 24 June 2026 deadline, as the institution — not the business — must submit the completed application.