Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

What is it?

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) enable private and public sector research organisations, Higher Education Institutions and staff in further education colleges to apply their research knowledge and expertise to important important business problems.

If you have an idea for a project that requires the expertise of a university and the resources of a bright graduate then KTP may be the answer.

KTP enables collaborative partnerships between industry and the academic research base. KTP Programmes focus on innovation projects that are central to the strategic development of the company partners. The projects are supervised by staff from both the company and knowledge base partners and implemented by recently qualified graduates (known as Associates) who are recruited to the partnership. Each KTP Programme involves one or more Associates, can last 2, 3 or exceptionally 4 years.

Who can apply?

The KTP scheme is predominantly focused at companies with less than 250 employees. Larger companies can also participate and they will need to demonstrate that KTP will be used strategically for the benefit of the whole company. Very small companies can apply but would have to provide evidence and reassurance that management of the Programme and the Associate can be done effectively. Currently around 10% of the Programmes supported by KTP are with companies with less than 10 employees.

How much does the company pay?

The graduate should be paid at a market rate for the job being undertaken. The grant makes a contribution towards graduate employment costs. If there is a requirement to set a salary level above that covered by the grant then it is the responsibility of the company to meet the additional cost.

The amount of a KTP grant is determined by the number of KTP Associates to be employed, the size of the partner company and whether the company has previously collaborated on a KTP Programme. Annual company contributions per KTP Associate employed will normally be at around the following levels for a first partnership:

Companies with fewer than 250 employees £14,000 per KTP Associate per year
Companies with 250 or more employees £21,000 per KTP Associate per year

When can you apply?

Completed KTP Programme Grant Applications and Proposals are submitted to a grant approval group, which meets 10 times each year.

Further details

For further information, speak to somebody at one of your University based KTP Offices:

University of Sheffield
Miss Julie Patterson
Manager
Technology Transfer Office
36/38 Victoria Street
Sheffield
S3 7QB
Tel: 0114 2220990
Fax: 0114 2221457
Email: j.patterson@sheffield.ac.uk

Sheila Quairney
Business Partnership Manager
Sheffield Hallam University
City Campus
Sheffield S1 1WB
Tel: 0114 2253939
Fax: 0114 2253524
Email: s.quairney@shu.ac.uk

• www.ktponline.org.uk

Alternatively contact the KTP consultant for South and West Yorkshire:

Mr Bob Whiting
01943 862516
Bob.whiting@ukgateway.net

KTP consultants are industrially experienced and regionally based. These consultants are on-hand to help with the preparation of proposals and throughout the life of the project.