Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)

Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program funds three-way collaborations between a business, an academic institution or approved research partner, and a KTP Associate. The associate is a skilled recent graduate who sits inside the business and helps turn academic expertise into an implemented innovation project. For SMEs, the program typically funds about 67% of project costs, while large businesses receive about 50%. Projects usually run for 12 to 36 months. More than 14,000 organisations have been supported historically, with more than 800 active projects at a time and more than GBP 50 million of annual investment. Current named activity includes standard KTP Round 2 for 2026 to 2027 with GBP 10 million available, alongside Accelerated KTP 6 with GBP 2.5 million. The best applicants are companies that have a defined innovation problem and need embedded academic capability to deliver it. The model works best when the business can host the associate, the academic partner can contribute specialist expertise, and the project has enough operational scope to justify a multi-month collaboration. Because the partnership structure is mandatory, the program rewards organised consortia and a clear transfer plan more than a loose idea for collaboration.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.