Support and advice

KTP is the UK’s most successful and long-established knowledge transfer mechanism. The programme’s success flows from the outcomes of individual partnerships, each of which is bespoke and unique, so you should be prepared to invest time and effort with your partner, especially at the early project initiation and ideation stage.

If you have a specific challenge you’d like to address and you’ve identified that a Knowledge Transfer Partnership could help, the next step is to contact an expert. Most often the best source of initial advice is within your local Knowledge Base, where you will find a knowledge transfer specialist. They can provide guidance on the programme including:

• introductions (if needed) into the available academic expertise
• the appropriateness of KTP to support your idea
• the KTP mechanism and process
• advice on eligibility, scope, costs, timescales and expectations
• how to capture the essence and potential of the proposed partnership
• how to progress the concept in dialogue with your local Knowledge Transfer Adviser (see below).

If you need help in making connections into the Knowledge Base, if you are uncertain which Knowledge Base is best placed to support you, or if the expertise you require is unlikely to be found locally, then speak to your local Knowledge Transfer Adviser.

They will work with potential partners to ensure that your KTP efforts are likely to prove fruitful and are the formal Innovate UK channel through which all KTP applications are managed. KTAs are local to you and will be on hand throughout your partnership, and can help with:

• assessing the feasibility of your idea and helping to scope project ambition and parameters
• supporting your grant application
• providing mentoring, coaching and professional development to your Associate
• delivering expert advice and guidance to the project team
• working with you throughout your KTP to shape, manage and deliver on time, ensuring you optimise the project’s outcome potential
• accessing colleagues elsewhere in the innovation ecosystem to unlock the project’s full potential.

Developing a KTP application takes time – often 6-8 weeks – and requires your business to work closely with the knowledge base. You should write your application so that experts from outside of your sector can easily understand what you intend to achieve, what challenges it presents and why it is innovative to the business.

All applications are supported by your Knowledge Transfer Adviser. Your KTA will provide your business with guidance throughout the application process. They may set milestones during the development of the application.

Once complete, the application can only be submitted by the knowledge base following approval by your KTA.

Applications are reviewed by a group of assessors with a deep understanding of the knowledge exchange process. You will normally be notified of the outcome within 12 weeks or less of the competition closing.