Collaborative Opportunities

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) provides resources and expertise to thriving businesses and organisations through the transfer of knowledge from the University to the company.

Businesses and organisations can employ high quality recent graduates, known as Associates, to undertake specific projects that are of strategic importance to the company with the help of an academic supervisor.

  • Sponsorships for projects are available in a wide range of subject areas
  • Sponsors fund 50% of the project costs for a large company or 60% for small and medium sized enterprise (under 250 employees)
  • Associates are employed by the University but work for the company at their premises
  • The recent graduate is jointly supervised by a mentor from the company and an academic who spends, on average, half a day per week with the Associate at the company

Projects …

  • Typically last between 18 months and 3 years
  • Are specifically designed to increase the company’s profits
  • Addressing a strategically important problem

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) is a three-way partnership between …

  • A Company or organisation
  • The University
  • A high quality recent graduate

The KTP scheme is sponsored by …

  • The Technology Strategy Board
  • Government departments
  • Research Councils
  • Regional Development Agencies

Benefits to the academic

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships have a long and successful history of providing academics with a means of applying their research to commercial, business situations.

Why you should get involved in a KTP:

  • Publish research papers
  • Generate real-world case studies that are applicable to teaching
  • Identify new research themes and UG/PG projects
  • Develop relationships that might lead to future collaborations
  • Lead rewarding and ongoing collaborations with innovative businesses
  • Kudos – sponsors include all the Research Councils
  • It provides buy-out to give you the time to work on the project

Frequently Asked Questions

Q - How long has it been running for?

A - Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and its predecessor, Teaching Company Scheme, have been running since 1975.

Q - I have a good relationship with an NHS Trust. Are they eligible?

A - Yes. Large companies and SMEs are not the only type of organisations eligible. NHS and Primary Care Trusts, charities and local authorities can also take advantage of a KTP.

Q - Are KTPs for business and marketing projects only?

A - No. As KTPs are sponsored by the Research Councils academics from pretty much any subject can be involved in KTPs, so long as an organisation can benefit from their assistance.

Across the UK, Partnerships work in many areas including health, management, bio and physical sciences, psychology, history, education, sociology and criminology.

Q - How does it work?

A - A KTP starts with a short outline, reviewed by a regional KTP advisor. He/she will meet with the potential partners to see if the proposal is likely to succeed (or not) and give the go-ahead to make a full application.

Q - Is there any help available?

A - Yes. Research & Enterprise Services will guide you through the entire process and will take all of the administrative and management burden off you. Contact Andy Brooks in the first instance.

For more information about KTP contact:

Dr Andy Brooks

Dr Andy Brooks


Enterprise Business Manager
Room 1.13, Dorothy Hodgkin Building Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG
01782 734496
a.s.brooks@uso.keele.ac.uk