Knowledge Transfer Partnership

Animal Research Rule: Projects involving animals must comply with UKRI guidance on animal welfare. Additional information required if applicable.

Appendices Required: Workplan template. Commercial impacts template. Joint commitment statement. Supporting financial documents if required.

Application Limit: Each business partner may take part in up to four concurrent KTP funded projects.

Application Platform: Innovation Funding Service

Application Sections: Project details. Application questions. Finances. Workplan template. Commercial impacts template. Joint commitment statement.

Assessment Process: Competitive assessment. Scored on impact, challenge, innovation and cohesiveness. Funders Panel decision.

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.

Competitiveness: Funding limit applies. Not all high scoring projects may be funded.

Decision Risks: Application withdrawn if eligibility rules not met. Application withdrawn if KTA support not confirmed.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.

Decision Timeline: Funders Panel 4 June 2026. Applicants notified 11 June 2026. Feedback 18 June 2026.

Eligible Expenses: Associate employment costs. Associate development. Travel and subsistence. Consumables. Academic supervisor costs. Additional associate costs. Estates. Other eligible costs under KTP guidance.

Eligible Scope: Must address a specific strategic challenge of the business. Must embed new knowledge and capability. Must align with Industrial Strategy sectors.

Funding Intensity: Large businesses up to 50%. SMEs up to 67%. Business pays remaining balance.

Funding Rate: Large businesses up to 50% of eligible costs. Micro, small and medium enterprises up to 67% of eligible costs.

Important Notes: 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.

Ineligible Applicants: UKRI and its councils. Businesses owned or operated by UKRI or its councils. Advanced Research and Invention Agency. Central government departments and devolved administrations. Public sector organisations as business partners.

Ineligible Projects: Research projects. Projects not strategic to the business. Projects not aligned with Industrial Strategy. Projects without genuine market opportunity. Projects classed as a subsidy.

Interview Stage: Not specified

Key Requirements: 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.

Match Funding Requirement: Required. Business partner must contribute remaining eligible costs and additional non eligible costs including capital equipment and commercialisation.

Project Duration: 12 to 36 months

Publication Date: 2026-02-03 00:00:00

Renewal Rules: Cannot resubmit the same previous application.

Research Category: Strategic innovation project. Not research only.

Sanctions Rule: Funding will not be provided where it breaches UK sanctions.

Subcontractors: Not allowed

Subsidy Scheme: No subsidy basis. Project outputs must be openly available on a non selective basis.

Total Fund Available: £10,000,000