Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Briefing July 2022

Connect. Support. Grow.

What are Knowledge Transfer Partnerships?

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a means for businesses to access expertise and support from academic partners to deliver a business-led innovation project.

An academic partner (which could be a university, college, research and technology organisation or Catapult in the UK, sometimes referred to as a ‘knowledge base’) will work with a businesses to develop the project, provide academic input, recruit a suitable graduate with the capability to lead a strategic business project (known as an ‘associate’) and then act as the employer of the associate, who will work at the business for the majority of the project.

There are two types of KTP: ‘classic’ KTPs, which focus on developing new or better products and services; and management KTPs, which focus on developing better businesses by enhancing processes and building management capabilities.

A KTP project is part-funded by a grant and can last between 12 and 36 months, depending on the needs of the business.

Innovate UK report that around 800 businesses, 100 knowledge bases and over 800 graduates are currently involved in KTPs in the UK.

How can Knowledge Transfer Partnerships benefit my business?

Any UK-based business of any size, including not-for-profit organisations such as social enterprises and charities, can utilise KTPs to solve challenges they are facing and implement innovative new ideas, with the aim of improving firm-level productivity and business performance.

A KTP is part-funded by a grant. A typical KTP project delivers a package of support valued at around £80,000 – £100,000 per year. This includes the costs of the academic team involved, project consumables, the associate’s salary, mentoring, training and development and travel and subsistence.

A KTP grant typically pays: ▪

75% of project costs for not-for-profit businesses of any size

▪

67% of project costs for micro, small and medium-sized businesses (with business size determined by several factors, including number of employees, turnover and location, and will be discussed with businesses making a KTP application)

▪

50% of project costs for large businesses.

Businesses will need to fund the remaining cost of the project.

A KTP application must be completed jointly by the prospective business and the knowledge base, and is supported by a knowledge transfer adviser appointed by Innovate UK. Applications should include information about each of the participants, their objectives, and the proposed tasks and deliverables for the associate. KTP applications must then be submitted by a registered knowledge base.

Innovate UK award KTPs on merit. Applications are reviewed by an expert group of assessors.

Applicants will normally be notified of the outcome within 12 weeks or less of a competition closing, and competitions take place throughout the year.

Successful partnerships will then receive a formal grant offer letter. Once an offer is accepted, the knowledge base and business partner can begin to jointly recruit an associate. The associate’s contract of employment will be with the knowledge base.

To find out more about how a Knowledge Transfer Partnership could benefit your business, the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce recommends speaking to a local university that is registered as a knowledge base for the purpose of such partnerships, such as Chamber Patrons, Aston University (click here), Birmingham City University (click here), University of Birmingham (click here).

What is the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s position on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships?

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships present a unique opportunity for businesses to gain support – in terms of both funding and expertise – that enables them to address commercial challenges and improve business practices. Depending on the business challenge, a KTP might help facilitate the adoption of new technologies or unlocking opportunities associated with digitisation within a business. KTPs can help a business improve competitiveness, firm-level productivity and performance.

Birmingham is home to five universities (Aston University, University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham and Newman University), and the wider region a further seven. They play a key role in the innovation ecosystem as attractors of major public research funding, but also by supporting pathways to commercialisation of new technologies and ideas, achieved through collaboration and knowledge exchange with other organisations and the development of a talented workforce. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are a significant part of this.

Identifying, supporting and attracting more innovation funding to a broad range of areas, through various mechanisms, including KTPs, ought to be a strategic priority for the West Midlands, as a key opportunity to raise regional productivity and for the region to participate in growth sectors and technologies of the future.

How can the Chamber support businesses across Greater Birmingham looking to participate in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships?

This briefing is part of the Chamber’s Future in Technology (FIT) campaign, which aims to support business investment in digitisation and the adoption of new technologies. Click here for further information on FIT. The campaign will feature the publication of a range of briefing papers and expert videos on topics including the Government’s Digital Strategy and what it means for businesses, investment in digital infrastructure in Greater Birmingham, and support to improve the digital capabilities of your workforce.

The Chamber has a variety of support options available to assist businesses. The Chamber’s ChamberLink Daily e-newsletter goes out to 14,000 business contacts across the region daily, providing the latest local business news, insights and tips that are of significant value to businesses.

The GBCC Policy Team exists to research business views on economic indicators and key challenges they are facing, inform businesses of new policy or legislative changes which may impact them, facilitate the sharing of best practice ideas between local organisations, and engage stakeholders on issues faced by the business community in order to shape effective policy decision making.

Resources produced by the team include this briefing, as part of the Future in Technology campaign, as well as briefings on topics such as International Trade, Sustainability and Skills .

To ensure that you receive further information on opportunities for collaboration and local business support – as well as updates on the broader work of the Chamber and its members - register to receive the ChamberLink Daily Enewsletter here.

For more information, please contact: Emily Stubbs Senior Policy & Projects Manager E.Stubbs@birmingham-chamber.com Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

About the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce We have been in business, for business since 1813. Today’s GBCC exists to connect, support and grow local businesses.

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