Funding competition Knowledge transfer partnerships (KTP): 2021 to 2022, round 5

UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults can apply for a share of up to £8 million to fund innovation projects with businesses or not-for-profits.

This competition is now closed.

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Competition sections

Description

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme allows a UK registered business or not-for-profit organisation (which we will refer to collectively as the ‘business partner’ from now on) to partner with a UK higher education (HE) or further education (FE) institution, RTO or Catapult (which we will refer to as the ‘knowledge base partner’).

This partnership brings new skills and the latest academic thinking into the business partner to deliver a specific, strategic innovation project. The knowledge base partner will recruit 1 or 2 graduates (known as ‘associates’) to work on the project.

Each application must be led by a knowledge base, working with a business partner. If you are from a knowledge base that has not yet developed a project, get started by reading the KTP guidance. If you are from a business, contact the Innovate UK KTN.

By applying for this competition, you are entering into a competitive process. The competition closes at 11am UK time on the deadline stated. It takes time to prepare an application. If yours will not be ready before the close date, please apply to a later round.

Text update 1 February 2022: The closing date for this round 5 of the KTP competition has been extended until 11am 9 February 2022.

Visit the KTP website to find out more about the programme and the current roles available for graduates.

Funding type

Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)

Project size

We will consider partially funding project costs of any amount if we judge the costs to be appropriate. Typically, projects cost no more than £75,000 per year. A proportion of this will be paid by the business partner.

Who can apply

This award is provided on a no subsidy basis. This means you must publish or make all project outputs openly available on a non-selective basis. If you decide to commercially exploit project outputs, you can only do so with no selective advantage.

Each KTP is a partnership between the following:

  • a UK knowledge base, acting as lead organisation and submitting the application
  • a UK registered business or not-for-profit organisation

Your project can last between 12 and 36 months, depending on the project requirements.

KTP does not support projects with public sector organisations.

Knowledge base partner

The knowledge base partner cannot work alone.

The knowledge base partner must lead the project and must:

  • be a UK registered higher education (HE) or further education (FE) institution, research technology organisation (RTO) or Catapult
  • invite one UK registered business of any size or not-for-profit organisation into the Innovation Funding Service
  • invite one knowledge transfer adviser
  • not act in any way to gain selective commercial or economic advantage from the outputs of the project
  • recruit associate roles in a demonstrably open and fair manner
  • allow associates to carry out the majority of the project at the business partner’s premises
  • provide academic support for the associate
  • make sure the application is completed and submitted before the competition closes

Your business partner must be invited into the Innovation Funding Service by the knowledge base partner to collaborate on a project. When the business partner accepts their invitation, they will need to:

  • login or create an account
  • enter estimates of their own project costs, which may be updated as part of the final reporting process

Business partner

Business partners cannot work alone. They must develop the project with a knowledge base of their choice. We encourage business partners to approach knowledge bases directly.

To collaborate with the knowledge base, the business partner must:

  • be a UK registered business of any size, or a not-for-profit organisation
  • have more than 2 employees
  • demonstrate its ability to financially support its contribution to the project
  • accept an invitation from a knowledge base to participate in a project and complete their parts of the application form
  • provide details of their financial accounts from the past 3 years
  • provide supervisory support for the associate
  • host the associate

The definition KTP uses for ‘not-for-profit organisation’ includes social enterprises and charities.

We use the term ‘business partner’ for both businesses and not-for-profit organisations.

For more information on company sizes, please refer to the company accounts guidance. This is a change from the EU definition unless you are applying under State aid.

The knowledge base partner and the business partner must sign a joint commitment statement.

You must deliver an exploitation plan during your project. By completing all sections of the application form you will have completed your initial exploitation plan.

Subcontractors

Subcontractors are not allowed in this competition.

No subsidy

This competition provides funding that is not classed by Innovate UK as a subsidy. You should still seek independent legal advice on what this means for you, before applying.

More information about the UK Subsidy Control requirements can be found within the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation agreement and the subsequent BEIS guidance.

‘No subsidy’ status is only granted to organisations which declare that they will not use the funding:

  • in any way which gives them selective economic or commercial advantage
  • in any way which would determine the funding as a subsidy as defined by the EU-UK Trade Cooperation Agreement

It is the responsibility of the lead organisation to make sure all collaborators in the project remain compliant with these requirements.

It is important to note that it is the activity that an organisation is engaged in as part of the project and not its intentions, that define whether any support provided could be considered a subsidy.


Further information

If you are unsure about your obligations under the UK Subsidy Control regime you should take independent legal advice. We cannot advise on individual eligibility or legal obligations.

If there are any changes to the above requirements that mean we need to change the terms of this competition, we will tell you as soon as possible.

Funding

We will consider partially funding project costs of any amount if we judge the costs to be appropriate. Typically, projects cost about £75,000 per year.

Find out which project costs are eligible for funding.

Contribution from Innovate UK

Innovate UK has allocated up to £8million in this round of the KTP programme, which will contribute towards the total costs of the individual projects.

Your project may be supported wholly or in part by one or more of the KTP supporters. You can ask to receive financial support from a specific supporter in your application.

KTP is financially supported by:

  • UKRI
  • Invest Northern Ireland
  • Scottish Funding Council
  • Welsh Government
  • Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
  • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

Typically Innovate UK and its supporters fund projects at:

In addition to the financial supporters, you may also request any of the following UKRI Research councils to support your project:

  • Arts and Humanities Research Council
  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
  • Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
  • Economic and Social Research Council
  • Medical Research Council
  • Natural Environment Research Council
  • Science and Technology Facilities Council

Contribution from the business partner

The business partner in your application must also provide funding. The amount depends on the:

  • total eligible project costs
  • duration of the project
  • size of the business
  • registered location of the business
  • location of the project

Additionally, the business partner must fund:

  • the time spent on the project by their own staff
  • other non-eligible costs such as the purchase of capital equipment

Application rules

Number of applications

Each knowledge base can collaborate on any number of applications.

Each business partner (including separate businesses within a business group) can take part in up to 4 KTP funded projects at any one time.

Additional applications may be allowed at the discretion of the programme manager.

You must provide justification by email to support@iuk.ukri.org at least 20 working days before the competition closes. We will decide whether to approve your request.

Previously submitted applications

You cannot use a previously submitted application to apply for this competition.

We will not award you funding if you have:

  • failed to exploit a previously funded project
  • failed to comply with grant terms and conditions

This competition provides funding that is not classed by Innovate UK as a subsidy. You should still seek independent legal advice on what this means for you, before applying.

Your project

Your application must be for a specific, strategic innovation project that tackles one or more challenges faced by the business partner.

Your application can be for any kind of project. It must show:

  • how it helps the business with a real need
  • how it fits the strategic aims of the business partner
  • there is a genuine market opportunity and route to market
  • how the knowledge gained will be embedded within the business partner
  • what makes this approach innovative

Projects we will not fund

We are not funding:

  • projects which are classed as State aid under EC regulations or a subsidy under the EU-UK TCA
  • undertakings which gain a selective economic or commercial advantage from the funding
  • research projects
  • projects that are not strategic for the business partner
  • projects that work with public sector organisations
  • projects that do not demonstrate a genuine market opportunity

6 December 2021
Competition opens
9 February 2022 11:00am
Competition closes
31 March 2022
Funder's Panel
7 April 2022 3:21pm
Applicants notified

Before you start

You must read the guidance for KTP applicants before you apply.

What we ask you

The application is split into 3 sections:

  1. Project details.
  2. Application questions.
  3. Finances.

The assessors will score your overall application holistically.

They will score on:

  • impact
  • challenge
  • innovation
  • cohesiveness

They will score each of these areas out of 10 marks (for a maximum total of 40 marks). They will also take into account the financial viability of the overall project. You must meet all the eligibility rules for your project to be considered for funding.

1. Project details

This section provides background for the assessors and is not scored.

Subsidy Basis

Will the project, including any related activities, you want Innovate UK to fund, affect trade between Northern Ireland and the EU?

All participants must complete this section.

Application Team

Invite people from your organisation and the business to help complete the application.

Application details

The format of your application title must be “Knowledge Base and Business Partner KTP Year Round X”.

For example: University of Innovation and Shelen Ltd KTP 21_22 R8

Project duration in months

You must select your innovation area from the list.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

All participants must complete this EDI survey and the lead applicant must then select yes in the application question. We collect and report on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) data to address under-representation in business innovation and ensure equality, diversity and inclusion across all our activities.

The survey will ask you questions on your gender, age, ethnicity and disability status. You will always have the option to ‘prefer not to say’ if you do not feel comfortable sharing this information.

Project summary

We will not score this summary, but it will give the assessors a useful introduction to your project. It should provide a clear overview of the whole project, including:

  • your vision for the project
  • key objectives
  • main areas of focus
  • details of how it is innovative.

Public description

If your application is successful, Innovate UK will make use of this public description to comply with government requirements. Summarise the project goals. Please ensure it is suitable for public disclosure.

We reserve the right to amend the description before publication if necessary but will consult you about any changes.

Your answer can be up to 50 words long.

Scope

Describe how your project fits with the scope of the competition.

To demonstrate how your project aligns with the scope of this competition you must:

  • read the competition brief in full
  • understand the background, challenges and scope of the competition

Your application must be for a specific, strategic innovation project that tackles one or more challenges faced by the business partner.

It can be any kind of project, but it must show:

  • how it helps the business with a real need
  • how it fits the strategic aims of the business partner
  • there is a genuine market opportunity and route to market
  • how the knowledge gained will be embedded within the business partner
  • what makes this approach innovative

If your project is not in scope it will not be eligible for funding.

Your answer can be up to 200 words long.

2. Application questions

Knowledge transfer advisers are available to help you with your application and your project. Find out more about knowledge transfer advisers.

By completing all sections of the application form you will have completed your initial exploitation plan.

You will receive feedback on your application from the assessors.

You must not name an associate in your application or include any website addresses (URLs) in your answers.

Question 1. Applicant location

You must state the name of your organisation along with your full registered address.

If you are working in collaboration, you must also state the name and full registered address of all your partners.

We are collecting this information to understand the geographical location of all participants of a project.

Your answer can be up to 400 words long.

Question 2. Number of associates

How many associates do you need to support this project?

You can have 1 or 2.

Question 3. KTP type

What type of KTP are you applying for?

Select one:

  • Classic KTP
  • Management KTP

Question 4. Business partner type

What is the business partner type?

Select one:

  • limited company
  • limited liability partnership (LLP)
  • charities
  • not for profit
  • partnership
  • public limited company
  • sole trader
  • unlimited company

Question 5. Business partner size

Give the size of the business partner’s organisation. If the business partner is part of a group give the size of the overall group.

Select one:

  • micro
  • small
  • medium
  • large

For more information on company sizes, please refer to the company accounts guidance. This is a change from the EU definition unless you are applying under State aid.

Question 6. Business area

What area does the business partner work in? Clearly state its revenue generating activities.

If the business partner is not yet generating revenues, provide details of their funding sources. If part of a business group, please also indicate the broader business activities undertaken by the group.

Your answer can be up to 400 words long.

Question 7. Business partner address

What is the registered address of the business partner?

Provide the full registered address of the business partner in this format:

Your answer can be up to 50 words long

Question 8. Associate location

Where will the associate work?

Provide the full address in this format:

  • building name or number and street
  • town or city
  • county
  • postcode

Your answer can be up to 50 words long

Question 9. Business partner SIC code

What is the business partner’s Standard Industrial Code (SIC)?

If the business partner is a registered charity, use 88990.

Question 10. Business registration number

What is the business partner’s company registration number or charity registration number?

Question 11. Senior business employee

Who is the senior business partner employee?

Give their details in this format:

  • title
  • first name
  • surname
  • email address

Your answer can be up to 50 words long.

Question 12. Senior business employee’s background

You must provide details of the senior employee at the business partner and explain why their experience makes them suitable for this role.

The individual named must:

  • demonstrate the business partner or its group’s commitment to the partnership
  • provide evidence of the authority received to commit its resources to support the delivery of the projects

Your answer can be up to 300 words long.

Question 13. Business partner supervisor

You must identify the business partner supervisor for each associate.

Give their details in this format:

Business partner supervisor for associate 1

  • title
  • first name
  • surname
  • job title
  • email address

Business partner supervisor for associate 2

  • title
  • first name
  • surname
  • job title
  • email address

Your answer can be up to 50 words long.

Question 14. Business partner supervisor’s background

What is the business partner supervisor’s background?

Explain why their experience makes them suitable for this role.

The individual named must:

  • work in a team with the knowledge base supervisor and the associate
  • give day-to-day support to the project
  • offer guidance and mentoring support to the associate
  • provide links to information and expertise available within the business

It is expected that the supervisor will ensure that the business gives adequate consideration to any request for resources or training of business personnel required for the project to succeed and to become embedded.

If the project has more than 1 business partner supervisor, you must give the background details for each person

Your answer can be up to 400 words long.

Question 15. Knowledge base supervisor

Which knowledge base partner employee will give the associate academic supervision?

You must identify the knowledge base supervisor for each associate.

Give their details in this format:

Knowledge base supervisor for associate 1

  • title
  • first name
  • surname
  • job title
  • email address

Knowledge base supervisor for associate 2

  • title
  • first name
  • surname
  • job title
  • email address
Your answer can be up to 50 words long

Question 16. Knowledge base supervisor’s background

What is the knowledge base supervisor’s background?

For each knowledge base supervisor:

  • describe how their research interests and experience are relevant to the project
  • give evidence that they are the right person to supervise the project and the associate

If the project has more than 1 knowledge base supervisor, you must give the background details for each person

Your answer can be up to 400 words long.

Question 17. Knowledge base lead

Who will be the knowledge base lead? The knowledge base lead is the senior academic on the project.

Give their details in this format:

  • title
  • first name
  • surname
  • job title
  • email address

Your answer can be up to 50 words long

Question 18. Knowledge base lead’s background

What is the knowledge base lead’s background?

For the knowledge base lead:

  • describe how their research interests and experience are relevant to the project
  • give evidence that they are the right person to supervise the project and the associate

Your answer can be up to 300 words long.

Question 19. Associate arrangements

How will the associate or associates be supervised?

Describe or explain:

  • what level of supervision is appropriate for your partnership
  • why is it appropriate

Associate supervision is critical to the success of any partnership. We expect the majority of the project to take place within the business you have given for the associate’s location.

Each associate must be supervised by both:

  • the business partner supervisor on a daily basis
  • the knowledge base supervisor for at least half a day each week or one day a fortnight (excluding travelling time)

If the associate spends any time at the knowledge base, the business partner supervisor must make a similar commitment.

You must ask your knowledge transfer adviser what level of supervision is appropriate for your partnership.

Your answer can be up to 400 words long.

Question 20. Partnership administrator

Who will be the partnership administrator?

The partnership administrator is the main person we will contact at the knowledge base partner to ask questions about this application or partnership.

Give their details in this format:

  • title
  • first name
  • surname
  • job title
  • email address
  • phone number
  • building name or number and street
  • town or city
  • county
  • postcode

Your answer can be up to 50 words long

Question 21. Person responsible for submitting claims

Who will be the person responsible for submitting claims?

Provide details of the person responsible for submitting claims on behalf of the knowledge base partner.

Give their details in this format:

  • title
  • first name
  • surname
  • email address
  • phone number

Your answer can be up to 50 words long

Question 22. Strategic aims

Explain how this project fits with the strategic aims of the business partner.

Explain:

  • why this project is important to the business partner
  • the business vision that this partnership addresses
  • how this partnership will make a significant difference to this business partner

Your answer can be up to 600 words long.

Question 23. Missing knowledge

What knowledge or expertise does the business partner currently lack that it will need to carry out this project?

What knowledge, technology or skills does the business partner need from the knowledge base partner?

Your answer can be up to 500 words long.

Question 24. Use of knowledge

How will the knowledge and expertise transferred during the project be embedded and exploited within the business partner?

Demonstrate how:

  • the knowledge and expertise will stay in the business beyond the lifetime of the project
  • how it will continue to boost the business's success

Your answer can be up to 500 words long.

Question 25. Reason for partnership

Why is an academic and business partnership the most appropriate approach for this activity?

Explain why the KTP structure and funding is necessary to achieve the desired outcomes. Explain why this could not be delivered 'off the shelf' or through consultancy.

Your answer can be up to 500 words long.

Question 26. Business partner’s challenges

What challenges does the business partner have that will be addressed through the partnership?

Explain why the solution moves the business partner, or one of the business partner’s products forward in such a way that it challenges current or accepted practice in the business partner or sector.

Your answer can be up to 400 words long.

Question 27. Associate’s challenge

What makes this a challenging project for the associate?

Explain what the associate will focus on, for example:

  • stakeholder management
  • converting academic theory into commercial practice
  • data acquisition
  • setting up test environments or labs

Your answer can be up to 400 words long.

Question 28. Knowledge base partner’s challenges

What challenges does the knowledge base partner have that will be addressed through the partnership?

Describe or explain:

  • the additional benefits and outcomes the KTP will bring to the knowledge base partner
  • what challenge this offers the academic team
  • why the academic team want to undertake this project

Your answer can be up to 400 words long.

Question 29. Market opportunity

What market opportunity will this project open up?

Describe or explain:

  • the target markets
  • their relative size or value
  • the market share you are expecting to achieve
  • the business partner's current position in these markets
  • the existing or emerging competitive offerings

Your answer can be up to 600 words long.

Question 30. Route to market

What is your route to market?

What is your strategy to achieve the market share indicated above?

Your answer can be up to 600 words long.

Question 31. Commercial impacts

What are the likely impacts of the project?

Describe or explain:

  • the rationale you used to generate the likely impacts
  • how you calculated the net profit before tax figures
  • why this is the best approach for generating likely impact

You must quantify the likely commercial impacts of the project.

You must download the latest commercial impacts template, complete it and upload as a PDF with a file size of up to 10MB. The font must be legible at 100% zoom.

You must use the text box to describe or explain the rationale you used to generate the likely impacts.

Your answer can be up to 750 words long.

Question 32. Additional business actions and investments

What additional business actions and investments will be needed for you to achieve the business case, beyond those needed to deliver the workplan?

This partnership will be part of the journey to full exploitation. What does the business partner have to do, over and above what is required to deliver the KTP, to realise the business case? Where an investment is required, please quantify it.

Your answer can be up to 500 words long.

Question 33. Additional benefits

What additional benefits will be delivered as part of the project?

Describe or explain:

  • the number of new and safeguarded jobs
  • any wider societal and environmental benefits
  • any other benefits that this project will deliver that may help your case for support

Your answer can be up to 500 words long.

Question 34. Project funding

Demonstrate how the business plans to address the funding of this project?

Describe or explain:

  • how the business is able to afford the project
  • any investments that will need to be undertaken to complete the project

If the business accounts show any of the following, you must also address these issues:

  • declining turnover
  • low net profit pre-tax
  • negative liquidity
  • high debt or equity
  • growth in long term loans

Your answer can be up to 500 words long.

Question 35. Workplan

How will you manage the project effectively?

Use our workplan template to detail the project phases and milestones, including benefits realisation phase and the exploitation phase.

You must complete and upload a workplan for this project.

You must download the latest workplan template, complete it and upload as a PDF with a file size of up to 10MB. The font must be legible at 100% zoom.

Type ‘I confirm I have uploaded the completed workplan template’ as part of your answer.

Question 36. Associates

In order to deliver your project successfully, what are you looking for from your associates?

Briefly describe the:

  • qualifications
  • skills
  • attributes
  • experience

Your answer can be up to 500 words long.

Question 37. LMC members

Who will be on the local management committee (LMC)?

The LMC is the formal project meeting. It should be chaired by the senior business employee.

List the members, giving each one’s name, role and job title.

  • senior business employee
  • knowledge base supervisor
  • business supervisor
  • knowledge base lead
  • knowledge base lead
  • knowledge transfer adviser
  • knowledge base project administrator

Each member of the LMC should also be listed in the Application Team section of the application. Once recruited the associate must also attend the meeting.

Secretariat must be provided by the knowledge base partner.

Make sure each member you nominate understands their individual role and its responsibilities and is aware of the commitment required to take part in a KTP.

Your answer can be up 100 words long.

Question 38. Previous business partner KTPs

Has the business partner ever, or are they currently undertaking any KTPs?

Type “Yes” or “No” as part of your answer.

If Yes, describe and explain:

  • a brief outline and the KTP reference number for each previous KTP application
  • how this KTP relates to them
  • what differentiates this project from previous KTP’s undertaken

Demonstrate how this KTP relates to them, whilst being sufficiently distinct to be suitable for funding.

You should not be repeating activity previously undertaken by another KTP

You are reminded that a business may have no more than 4 KTPs funded at any one time

Your answer can be up to 300 words long.


Question 39. Previous funding information

Are there any relevant direct or indirect links between this application and any other funding support for either the academic team or the business partner?

Type “Yes” or “No” as part of your answer.

If there are links between this application and any other funding support describe and explain:

  • how previous funding is linked to this project
  • the name of your supporter
  • the date of the award
  • the award number
  • brief description of the award

Your answer can be up 200 words long.

Question 40. Joint commitment statement

The knowledge base partner and business partner must declare a commitment to work together on the project by completing our joint commitment statement template.

Download the latest joint commitment statement (JCS) template, complete it and upload it as a PDF with a file size of up to 10MB. The font must be legible at 100% zoom.

Type ‘I confirm we have completed and uploaded the joint commitment statement template’. If you do not upload a completed joint commitment statement your application will be rejected.

Question 41. Potential supporters

Which financial supporter do you want to fund your project? You must type exactly the names as shown below.

Choose at least one of the following financial supporters:

  • UKRI KTP (Innovate UK)
  • Invest Northern Ireland
  • Scottish Funding Council
  • Welsh Government
  • Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
  • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

In addition to the financial supporters, you may also request any of the following UKRI Research councils to support your project.

  • Arts and Humanities Research Council
  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
  • Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
  • Economic and Social Research Council
  • Medical Research Council
  • Natural Environment Research Council
  • Science and Technology Facilities Council

Question 42. Full economic costing certificate

Does your knowledge base use the full economic costing (fEC) approach?

Select:

  • Yes
  • No

Question 43. fEC certificate validity

Will your certificate be valid on the date of the funders panel?

Select:

  • Yes
  • No

An fEC certificate is valid for 12 months from the date it was audited and approved.

A valid certificate is required covering the date of the funders panel for this competition, listed in the competition guidance.

If your certificate will not be valid on this date, a valid fEC certification must be emailed to support@iuk.ukri.org a minimum of 10 days before the Funders Panel date.

Question 44. Supporting documents 1

You can use this question to upload up to 3 other supporting documents as appendices. For example, you can use this question to upload documents providing supporting evidence of the business partner’s finance position.

Appendices must be in PDF format with a file size up to 10MB. The font must be legible at 100% zoom.

Select “Yes” or “No” to indicate whether you have uploaded a document.

Question 45. Supporting documents 2

You can use this question to upload up to 3 other supporting documents as appendices. For example, you can use this question to upload documents providing supporting evidence of the business partner’s finance position.

Appendices must be in PDF format with a file size up to 10MB. The font must be legible at 100% zoom

Select “Yes” or “No” to indicate whether you have uploaded a document.

Question 46. Declaration of accuracy

You must agree to the following declaration. Select ‘Yes’ if you agree. If you select ‘No’ your application will be rejected.

The partnership confirms that the proposal meets the overarching criteria for KTP and, to the best of their knowledge, the information provided in this grant application form is accurate and complete.

Question 47. Declaration of knowledge transfer adviser approval

You must agree to the following declaration.

Select ‘Yes’ if you agree. If you select ‘No’ your application will be rejected.

The partnership confirms that the knowledge transfer adviser has reviewed and approved this proposal for submission into this competition.

3. Finances

The knowledge base partner must give the funding requested, broken down into all the individual costs for the project and the associate.

The business partner must give details of:

  • the latest accounting period, management accounts are acceptable
  • its audited accounts over the preceding 2 financial years
  • any details of any funding applied for elsewhere

For full details on what costs you can claim, see the KTP project costs guidance.

Background and further information

If you are successful

The partnership will have 9 months to jointly recruit an associate and start the project from the date the grant offer letter (GOL) is issued.

Knowledge transfer advisers

A knowledge transfer adviser must support your application. The knowledge base partner must invite a knowledge transfer adviser to join the project. Find and contact your local knowledge transfer adviser.

Your knowledge transfer adviser will:

  • help you plan the project
  • identify benefits
  • review proposals before submission
  • support and monitor the project
  • mentor and coach the associate
  • help you connect with the Knowledge Transfer Network

Data sharing
With your permission, your submitted application, and any other information you provide at the application stage can be submitted to each agency on an individual basis for its storage, processing and use. Any relevant information produced during the application process concerning your application can be shared by one agency with the other, for its individual storage, processing and use.

This means that any information given to or generated by Innovate UK in respect of your application may be passed on to our partner organisations, the Innovate UK KTN , Innovate UK EDGE and the Catapult network and vice versa.
Innovate UK is directly accountable to you for its holding and processing of your information, including any personal data and confidential information. It is held in accordance with its Information Management Policy.

Innovate UK and our partner organisations are directly accountable to you for their holding and processing of your information, including any personal data and confidential information. Data is held in accordance with their own policies. Accordingly, Innovate UK, and our partner organisations will be data controllers for personal data submitted during the application.

Innovate UK complies with the requirements of GDPR, and is committed to upholding the data protection principles, and protecting your information. The Information Commissioner’s Office also has a useful guide for organisations, which outlines the data protection principles.

About the Knowledge Transfer Partnership

To find out more about KTP, read the KTP guidance.

About Management KTPs

Management KTPs (MKTPs) focus on increasing effectiveness and improving productivity through better management practices. They create a partnership with a UK business school or academics that can demonstrate how their experience relates to management practice.

Management KTPs are aimed at supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) businesses. Large companies are considered on a case by case basis. You will not be able to contest their decision.

To find out more, read the Management KTP guidance.

Welsh Government Support

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a core component of Wales’ RD&I offer to businesses. Due to the current difficult economic climate, this offer will allow eligible SME businesses in Wales to claim 75% of the project costs of a KTP.

Partnerships jointly develop the proposal to address a specific business need and must submit their proposal for assessment by midday on 2 February 2022. Only applications received during this time will be eligible for this funding.

Any SME business based in Wales, from any sector is welcome to apply.

The Welsh Government provide more information on this initiative.

Contact us

If you need more information about how to apply, or you want to submit your application in Welsh, email support@iuk.ukri.org or call 0300 321 4357.

Our phone lines are open from 9am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

Innovate UK is committed to making support for applicants accessible to everyone. We can provide help for applicants who face barriers when making an application. This might be as a result of a disability, neurodiversity or anything else that makes it difficult to use our services. We can also give help and make other reasonable adjustments for you if your application is successful.


If you think you need more support, it is important that you contact our Customer Support Service as early as possible during your application process. You should aim to contact us no later than 10 working days before the competition closing date.

Need help with this service? Contact us