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About the Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a subsidised three-way partnership between a business, a high-calibre graduate and an academic institution.
It is a cost-effective way for businesses to attract fresh talent and access the expertise in universities and colleges to deliver strategic innovative solutions to achieve business growth. Graduates gain vital experience delivering projects in their fields of expertise and many are offered a permanent job with the company after the project is completed.
The scheme is funded by Innovate UK and Invest NI. We partner business and graduates, matching project requirements with management or technical skills and academic disciplines.
We also offer both Technical KTP and Management KTP Programmes. For both programmes, projects typically last about two years and funding for SMEs is 67% and 50% for large companies.
This project is part funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
What are the benefits of the Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme?
Technical KTPs match graduates from a specific discipline such as engineering, ICT or construction with companies undertaking projects related to their speciality while a Management KTP matches graduates with companies from all sectors seeking to implement strategic organisational improvements and is ideal for businesses which need to revamp their strategy or business model.
These collaborations can directly improve your company's competitiveness, productivity, efficiency and profitability.
Projects should be transformative, driving strategic change and boosting commercial performance focusing on business areas such as:
- Strategy & business modelling
- Process or operational improvements
- Leadership & decision-making
- Skills development
KTP offers companies:
- Graduate skills
- Access to knowledge and research in third level institutions
- A channel for commercialising research
- Support through new product, service or process development
Find out more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
Who is eligible for the Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme?
This support is available to all NI businesses. For full eligibility criteria please see the Innovate UK eligibility page.
Businesses owned by Invest NI staff members are not eligible for Invest NI funding.
Discover more
Watch our case studies on how Northern Ireland businesses have benefited from the Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme.
Contact us
If you are interested in the Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme, contact our Business Support Team on 0800 181 4422 or complete the enquiry form.