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Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), is a three-way collaboration between a UK-based business, a skilled graduate (known as a KTP Associate) and a university to deliver a strategic, transformational innovation project in an organisation. 

KTP projects are part-funded by substantial government grants of up to 67% of the project's cost depending on the size of the business involved.  

KTPs can help to improve a business' competitiveness, productivity, performance and profitability by tapping into the knowledge, skills and expertise in UK universities and research organisations. The programme represents an extremely cost-effective means of introducing new skills into your workplace to resolve an ongoing challenge or issue.

There are two types of KTP - the classic KTP which was established at the inception of the programme (50 years ago), and the Management KTP (mKTP) which is relatively new. Both have the same aims of helping businesses improve their competitiveness, profitability etc. The KTP Team will help you determine which is the most appropriate route to take depending on your business' need. The structure of the KTP, including the application process, project fundamentals and support offered, are the same irrespective of which type of KTP is applied for.

Read about successful KTPs on the Innovate UK KTP website.

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KTP Team

Business Development Team

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50 years of KTP 2025

We’re delighted to have recently celebrated 50 years of KTPs. Watch the fantastic celebratory poem, written and performed by Lemn Sissay, to commemorate this huge milestone: 

View the celebratory video

Innovate UK Awards

An international knowledge transfer partnership between the School for Business and Society at the University of York, University of Development Studies and Savannah and Sahel Commodities (SSCL) to develop a new fortified cereal to combat child malnutrition in Ghana has won two prestigious awards:

  • Best African Agriculture KTP award
  • Changing the World award.

Dr Karolos Papadas from the School for Business and Society, who worked on the project, said, "This achievement reflects our hard work across three institutions over the last three years to create a purpose-driven brand for the public good. These two awards will always remind us of our responsibility for our common future and the positive social impact of such partnerships between academic institutions and industry."

Information for businesses

Explore the ways our research could help your business develop new insights and boost productivity.

Information for academic staff

Unlock the potential of your research and test its application in real-world situations.

Information for KTP associates

Find out how a KTP can give you your first Project Management role and have a real impact on your career.

REF 2021

In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, three impact case studies published by the University of York featured four of our brilliant Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs). These partnerships were:

  • Markes International Limited and the Department of Chemistry
  • Kromek Limited and the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology
  • JC Chapman Limited and the Department of Computer Science
  • Rolls Royce PLC and the Department of Computer Science
Case studies
Explore our collaborations
Meet the KTP Team
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News and events
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Contact us

KTP Team

Business Development Team