Knowledge transfer partnerships (KTP): 2023 to 2024 Round 3

Fund details

Your application must be for a specific, strategic innovation project that tackles one or more challenges faced by the business partner.

It can be any kind of project and must show:

• why the business needs this KTP
• what new knowledge is required by the business
• what new capabilities will be embedded as a result of the KTP

Innovate UK will not fund:

• projects that are not strategic for the business partner
• projects that do not demonstrate a genuine market opportunity or viable route to market
• research projects
• projects where the business partner is an ineligible public sector organisation
• projects which are classed as State aid under EC regulations or a subsidy under the EU-UK TCA
• undertakings which gain a selective economic or commercial advantage from the funding

Eligibility

Each KTP is a partnership between the following:

• a UK knowledge base, acting as the lead organisation and submitting the application
• a UK registered business, not-for-profit organisation or eligible public sector organisation

Knowledge base partner 

The knowledge base partner cannot work alone, must lead the project and must:

• be a UK registered higher education (HE) or further education (FE) institution, Research Technology Organisation (RTO) or Catapult
• be registered as a knowledge base with the KTP programme
• invite one UK registered business, not-for-profit organisation or eligible public sector organisation into the Innovation Funding Service application
• invite one knowledge transfer adviser to support the application
• not have ownership of 50% or more of the business partner or a controlling interest via a shareholder agreement
• recruit associate roles in a demonstrably open and fair manner
• allow associates to participate in the typical working patterns of the business for the majority of the project, unless working virtually, this should take place at the business partner’s premises
• agree to provide at least half a day per week of academic support for the associate
• complete the application form in partnership with the business
• make sure the application is completed and submitted with the agreement of a knowledge transfer adviser before the competition closes
• submit a current full economic costing (fEC) letter with each application if you are using the full fEC costing model and support the project in accordance with its provision
• provide the project secretariat
• reach an intellectual property (IP) agreement with the business partner before the project commences
• agree to attend specified meetings at a location identified by the business partner
• ensure that none of the proposed academic team are directors, consultants or otherwise engaged by the business or group

As part of their involvement in the project, the knowledge base partner must provide a case study to Innovate UK using the template provided, upon completion of the project.

Business partners 

Business partners cannot work alone. They must develop the project with a UK knowledge base that can provide the right skills to meet the knowledge gap within the business. Innovate UK encourage business partners to approach Innovate UK KTN or knowledge bases to discuss the suitability of KTP for their specific circumstances.

To collaborate with a knowledge base, the business partner must:

• be a UK registered business, not-for-profit organisation or eligible public sector organisation
• have 2 or more full-time equivalent employees
• determine the size of their business or group
• declare the total number of employees within the business and if part of a group of businesses, within the group
• complete the application form in partnership with the knowledge base partner
• provide evidence of their ability to financially support their contribution
• host the associate and provide them with day-to-day supervisory support
• host monthly supervisor, Local Management Committee (LMC) and other mandatory meetings at their own expense
• provide evidence that demonstrates their ability to financially support the exploitation of the project
• reach a written IP agreement with the knowledge base before the project commences

Funding 

Eligible costs depend on a number of factors, including:

• the duration of the project
• where the project will be located
• the size of the business or group
• if your business operates virtually

Successful applications are partially funded on the following basis:

• large companies and eligible public sector organisations may receive a grant contribution of up to 50% of eligible project costs, with the business paying the balance
• SMEs may receive a grant contribution of up to 67% of eligible project costs, with the business paying the balance
• not for profit organisations charities or charitable businesses may receive a grant contribution of up to 75% of eligible project costs, with the charity or charitable business paying the balance
• as virtual businesses have no geographical location they may only receive a grant contribution of 50% or 67% depending upon the size of the business and must support additional costs as outlined in the KTP project costs guidance

Talk to us today if you would like to apply for this opportunity.