The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) programme facilitates innovative partnerships between business and an academic institution, through the expertise of a recently qualified graduate.
KTPs enable contributing businesses to implement a step-change in their competitiveness, productivity and performance, by providing them with access to the skills, expertise and facilities necessary to develop their business.
KTPs often result in the development of profitable long-term relationships between company and university.
How is a partnership funded?
The scheme is one of the Technology Strategy Board’s (TSB) flagship programmes and is co-funded by the TSB and other government agencies and departments such as; Research Councils, Development Agencies, the Department of Health and DEFRA*.
How is the programme managed?
The majority of the funding is used to cover the salary costs of the graduate, who will work predominantly in your company for the duration of the project (1-3 years). The graduate will project manage the programme defined in the application and is jointly supervised by the company and the Academic Supervisors, who have specialist academic knowledge relevant to the project.
Benefits to your company
Amongst other benefits, companies which participate in the scheme are able to:
- increase their competitive advantage
- improve their performance/business operations
- increase their profitability.
Outputs vary between projects but the latest reports from the Technology Strategy Board show that on average the company benefits which can be expected from a single KTP project are:
- an increase of over £220,000 in annual profits before tax
- the creation of three genuine new jobs and
- an increase in skills of existing staff.
The benefits are achieved through new technology, knowledge and skills being embedded in the company to ensure that the major strategic developments defined in the project are achieved.
Eligibility
KTPs are designed to help financially stable companies of all sizes.
Sponsorship rates
- Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) receive a grant worth approximately 67% of the programme value
- Large companies receive a grant worth approximately 50% of the programme value
- In both cases the company’s contributions may be eligible for R&D tax relief.
Further information
- If you would like to know more about entering into a KTP with the University, please contact Phil Jewell at p.e.jewell@soton.ac.uk
- Our KTP portfolio
- KTP case study
- Knowledge Transfer Partnership website.
- Other schemes are available for shorter term partnerships and secondments of staff into the University. For more information please visit our Knowledge Transfer Secondment page.
