Knowledge Transfer Partnership
Innovate UK · United Kingdom
Grant funding to support partnerships between a UK knowledge base and a UK registered business to deliver a strategic innovation project. The knowledge base recruits an associate to embed new capability within the business.
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Grant funding to support partnerships between a UK knowledge base and a UK registered business to deliver a strategic innovation project. The knowledge base recruits an associate to embed new capability within the business.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Business
Business size
SME, Large
Industries
Must align with one of the Industrial Strategy eight sectors. Advanced Manufacturing. Clean Energy Industries. Creative Industries. Defence. Digital and Technologies. Financial Services. Life Sciences. Professional and Business Services.
Match funding
Required
Requirements
Lead must be a UK registered higher education institution, further education institution, research and technology organisation or Catapult registered as a knowledge base. Must collaborate with a UK registered business with two or more full time employees. Partnership between UK-based business (any size) and UK university, college, RTO or Catapult; application submitted by academic/research part...
Eligible applicants
Lead must be a UK registered higher education institution, further education institution, research and technology organisation or Catapult registered as a knowledge base. Must collaborate with a UK registered business with two or more full time employees.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£10,000,000
Total fund available
£10,000,000
Funding intensity
Large businesses up to 50%; micro/small/medium up to 67% of eligible costs.
Payment type
Reimbursement (in arrears)
Eligible scope
Must address a specific strategic challenge of the business. Must embed new knowledge and capability. Must align with Industrial Strategy sectors.
Eligible expenses
- Associate employment costs. Associate development. Travel and subsistence. Consumables. Academic supervisor costs. Additional associate costs. Estates. Other eligible costs under KTP guidance.
Ineligible costs
- Capital equipment purchases not covered by KTP grant; business contribution (~one-third to half of project costs) required.
Application and risks
Application platform
Innovation Funding Service
Competitiveness
Open (Rolling assessment)
Decision timeline
Rolling deadlines throughout the year; decision normally within 12 weeks
Assessment process
Competitive assessment. Scored on impact, challenge, innovation and cohesiveness. Funders Panel decision.
Application sections
- Project details. Application questions. Finances. Workplan template. Commercial impacts template. Joint commitment statement.
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
- Workplan template. Commercial impacts template. Joint commitment statement. Supporting financial documents if required.
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Application withdrawn if eligibility rules not met. Application withdrawn if KTA support not confirmed. Prior non compliance with UKRI terms may affect decision.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
Not specified
Project duration
12 to 36 months.
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
- UKRI KTP (Innovate UK)
- Invest Northern Ireland
- Scottish Funding Council
- Welsh Government
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Collaboration rules
- Knowledge base must lead. Must collaborate with one UK registered business. Application must be supported by a Knowledge Transfer Adviser. Subcontractors are not allowed.
Consortium requirements
- Mandatory business–academic partnership with KTP associate employed by academic partner.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Application Limit","value":"Each business partner may take part in up to four concurrent KTP funded projects."},{"label":"Research Category","value":"Strategic innovation project. Not research only."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not allowed"},{"label":"Subsidy Scheme","value":"No subsidy basis. Project outputs must be openly available on a non selective basis."},{"label":"Sanctions Rule","value":"Funding will not be provided where it breaches UK sanctions."},{"label":"Animal Research Rule","value":"Projects involving animals must comply with UKRI guidance on animal welfare. Additional information required if applicable."},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Must be supported by a Knowledge Transfer Adviser before submission. Must not name associate in application. Must not include hyperlinks. Must align with Industrial Strategy."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Cannot resubmit the same previous application."},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Associate must be recruited through open process. Knowledge base must publish at least two academic papers or two industry publications per project. Business must provide financial evidence."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- £10,000,000
- Funding band
- Large (£5M+)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Reimbursement (in arrears)
- Audience
- Business
- Industry
- Must align with one of the Industrial Strategy eight sectors. Advanced Manufacturing. Clean Energy Industries. Creative Industries. Defence. Digital and Technologies. Financial Services. Life Sciences. Professional and Business Services.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 2 Feb 2026