KTP, or Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is one of the UK Government's most successful knowledge transfer programmes.  KTPs are primarily funded by Innovate UK, along with support from other government bodies and industry partners. In Northern Ireland, the programme is supported by Invest NI.

Since the KTP programme began in 1975, it has empowered around 12,000 organisations – big and small, across every industry sector in the UK – to drive innovation for sustainable growth. As well as helping businesses, the KTP programme plays a crucial role in not only kickstarting graduates' careers but also allowing academics to apply their expertise to real-world industry challenges.

How Does KTP Work?

Each dynamic collaboration is made up of three partners who all benefit from their engagement in KTP:

• Businesses and not for profit organisations gain access to the UK’s world class academic expertise, helping them innovate for growth and embed knowledge for lasting, positive impact. Find out more about how businesses can benefit from and participate in KTP here.
• Graduates with one of the biggest recruitment platforms in the UK (around 300 jobs every year). KTP offers a unique career springboard and the chance to lead a strategic innovation project. Find out more about the opportunities of working as a KTP Associate here.
• Academics with a valuable opportunity to apply the outcomes of their research to real world business challenges. Find out more here.

These three partners work together, via a KTP, on an innovation project of strategic importance to the business. They are supported throughout the project by an expert Knowledge Transfer Adviser from Innovate UK Business Connect who is on hand throughout the lifetime of the project (usually between 12 to 36 months) to enable and inspire its success.