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Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), is a 3-way collaboration between an organisation, 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 75% of the project's cost depending on the size of the organisation involved. Public sector organisations are now eligible to apply for KTP funding at a 50% grant rate. 

KTPs can help to improve an organisation's 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 standard KTP which was established at the inception of the programme (nearly 50 years ago), and the Management KTP (mKTP) which is a relatively new. Both have the same aims of helping organisations improve their competitiveness, profitability etc. The KTP Team will help you determine which is the most appropriate route to take depending on your organisation's 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.

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."

Learn more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)

Explore the ways our research could help your organisation develop new insights and boost productivity.
Unlock the potential of your research and test its application in real-world situations.
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
Meet the KTP Team