Grow your business through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)

Take your business to the next level with the academic know-how and funding that brings about real change.

Through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme, you can improve your business’s productivity and performance with the input of UCL’s world-leading academics.

What is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)?

A KTP provides the funding and support for you to join forces with an academic team and a highly skilled graduate, using the latest research to help grow your business. Together you’ll work for one to three years on developing a new product, process, service or efficiency saving.

The scheme is open to UK-based companies and charitable organisations of all sizes. 

Examples of our recent KTPs

AHMM’s collaboration with the UCL Institute for Environmental Design & Engineering, based at The Bartlett, aimed to improve the environmental sustainability of AHMM's buildings. To do this, they developed a model for net-zero carbon design in high-density mixed-use developments and a corresponding decision support tool.

Aber Instruments and UCL Biochemical Engineering developed new dielectric impedance spectroscopy techniques. This online tool monitors cells, to help improve the cost efficiency and performance of manufacturing cell therapy products.

Kennedys Law LLP and UCL’s Department of Computer Science developed a new tool to help insurers predict and mitigate emerging risks. This was possible due to the collaboration’s unprecedented access to data-informed knowledge and analytics.

How the partnership benefits you

As a business or charitable organisation, you’ll be able to:

• solve your strategic challenge with world-leading academics from UCL
• increase your annual pre-tax profits by six or seven figures
• create additional jobs (average three new jobs created for each KTP)
• embed a new capability in your organisation
• enhance the skills and knowledge of your staff

The other partners benefit too, with the academic team publishing its findings and many companies choosing to employ the graduate afterwards.

How a KTP works

1. You’ll have an idea of how academic know-how could transform your business, but don’t yet have the expertise in house.
2. You’ll be partnered with two academics who have the knowledge you need. They’ll jointly commit half a day a week to overseeing the project.
3. Together you’ll recruit a graduate, usually at master's level or above, who’s employed by UCL but works on site as part of your team. They’ll lead the project and make sure its innovations take root. 

What funding is available

KTPs typically cost around £100,000 to £120,000 a year at UCL.

Innovate UK will fund a substantial part of these costs: 

• 50% for a large company (more than 250 employees) or some public sector organisations
• 67% for a small to medium size enterprise (SME)
• 75% for a non-profit

The partner organisation funds the remaining percentage.

Process and timings

Funding rounds take place throughout the year, approximately every two months. Exact dates are listed on the UKRI website.

It can take at least nine months to get all the pieces of a KTP in place. That includes applying for the funds, creating a detailed workplan and recruiting an associate.

You’ll be supported at every stage by our KTP Manager and a Knowledge Transfer Advisor from Innovate UK.

Next steps

To find out more, discuss a potential project and start your application, email ktp@ucl.ac.uk

You can also find more about what a KTP can offer your business on the KTP website.