Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
What are Knowledge Transfer Partnerships?
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) consist of a unique three-way collaboration between a business, a university and a graduate (known as the associate). The KTP scheme is a UK-wide programme helping businesses to improve competitiveness and productivity.
There are two types of KTP:
- Classic KTPs focus on expanding the capabilities of a business’s products and services, often using cutting edge technologies. They allow you to embed expertise and generate new knowledge.
- Management KTPs are people-focused, designed to foster culture change, enable transformational improvements - applying a broad range of management practices and processes to create robust businesses.
A KTP is a cost-effective way to access academic expertise and recruit a highly skilled graduate.
What you can expect
- A project length of between one and three years
- Up to 67% funded and 33% company contribution
- Weekly access to academic expertise
- Graduate placed within your business to fully embed knowledge
Supporting 50 years of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)
Watch this four minute video and meet three businesses who have done a KTP with us or are currently undertaking a KTP.
Supporting your project
Our KTP team brings together academics, graduates, and businesses on strategic projects. They are there to provide expert and professional support for submitting the project. They will support your project through application right through to the end of the project. This includes the recruitment, financial administration and support at the project quarterly management meetings which takes place between all the partners of the project.
From the initial first contact, we are there to provide support and guidance including the formation of the project team, where we will find suitable partners, support the work plan, and the writing and submission of the KTP application.
We have a strong track record where we have supported over 100 projects in 24 years. Our experienced Knowledge Exchange team will support throughout the process of the submission of the project.
Benefits
Benefits for businesses
- Embedding expertise, develop new knowledge
- Creating Intellectual Property
- Gaining cost-effective access to the University's knowledge base and resources
- Increasing revenue through access to new markets and new product development
- Improving profits, increased productivity
- Improving processes to the business
- Access to an experienced Knowledge Transfer Adviser and access to the Knowledge Transfer Network throughout the project
Benefits for academics
- Solving real-world business problems
- Influencing development within the UK industry
- Developing impact case studies
- Developing publications and conference papers
- Implementing research in a business setting
Benefits for associates
- Earning a competitive salary
- Applying developing knowledge and skills
- Securing employment
- Annual training and development budget
- Being supported through an academic supervisor and the company supervisor
"There has always been this disparity between academics and the business world as they both have unique ways of doing things so having the opportunity to bridge that gap in a partnership is a wonderful opportunity only KTP can give. The business world is now coming to terms with growth and development academics offer and if properly harnessed, businesses can see the benefits in their annual turnovers."
Mayowa Olanrewaju a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate for Harris Evolution Ltd acknowledges the benefits of a KTP.
Our case studies
Take a look at our Research, Enterprise and Engagement (REE) blog to find out more about our case studies.
Research and External Engagement (REE) blog
Keep up-to-date with news about our innovative research, Business Services, Degree Apprenticeships, Professional Development, Graduate Talent and Recruitment.
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The UK Research and Innovation’s National Federated Compute Services (NFCS) NetworkPlus Flexible Fund recently awarded funding to Dr Tariq Umar, Senior Lecturer in Construction and Project Management, at the School of Architecture and Environment, UWE Bristol, to lead a major new project. Titled “Enhancing HPC adoption through user-centred design: A roadmap for inclusive innovation in … Continue reading "UKRI funding secured to co-design an inclusive roadmap for future high performance computing infrastructure"
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UWE Bristol is delighted to announce that we have won Training Provider of the Year at the Enginuity Awards 2025! The Training Provider Skills Champion of the Year award recognises outstanding commitment to learning and skills development that supports sustainable engineering and manufacturing growth through partnerships between providers and employers. Since 2017, UWE Bristol has … Continue reading "UWE Bristol named Training Provider of the Year at the Enginuity Skills Awards"
UWE Bristol named Training Provider of the Year at the Enginuity Skills Awards
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Celebrating connection, collaboration and creativity at the first College of Business and Law Research Conference
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By Dr Diana Johnson On Thursday 26 June 2025, Dr Diana Johnson and Dr Sam Mapston hosted a launch event for a newly created ‘Economic Crime Experts Directory’ at the Bristol Business School building, UWE Bristol. The Directory is situated on the UWE Bristol website and can be accessed using the link below: The Directory … Continue reading "Launch of the Economic Crime Experts Directory"
Launch of the Economic Crime Experts Directory
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Blog post by Allan Macleod, Head of Civic and Inclusivity at UWE Bristol, following the City Gathering on 23 June 2025. “We want to champion community leadership and expertise. We want to support more action at a community level. We want to partner with communities to find solutions to the new One City Plan missions.” … Continue reading "The power of community: Key takeaways from the City Gathering "
The power of community: Key takeaways from the City Gathering
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As part of the Developing inclusive policies and practices for greater accessibility in higher education project, Dr Tariq Umar, Senior Lecturer at the School of Architecture and Environment (UWE Bristol), visited universities in Indonesia to participate in public engagement events. Dr Umar, in collaboration with Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama (UNU) Yogyakarta, Indonesia, had received funding for … Continue reading "Collaborative public engagement events in Indonesia: Inclusive policies and practices for greater accessibility in HE project"
Collaborative public engagement events in Indonesia: Inclusive policies and practices for greater accessibility in HE project
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We’re excited to launch a new series of Skills Bootcamps at UWE Bristol, designed to equip learners with specialist knowledge and hands-on experience that can be applied immediately. These highly subsidised, practical training programmes provide an accessible pathway for freelancers, SMEs, and employees in larger organisations to gain industry-relevant skills and make an immediate impact … Continue reading "Unlock new opportunities with UWE Bristol’s Skills Bootcamps "
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We’re thrilled to announce that MyCelsius, a pioneering early-stage business based at Launch Space at UWE Bristol, has been recognized for its groundbreaking work in women’s health. On 14 May 2025, aboard the iconic SS Great Britain, MyCelsius was awarded the One to Watch Award at the Medilink South West ceremony – a testament to … Continue reading "Celebrating Innovation: MyCelsius Wins Prestigious Medilink South West Award"
Celebrating Innovation: MyCelsius Wins Prestigious Medilink South West Award
Get in touch
If your business has a strategy for growth, we can help make your ambitions a reality. Contact our Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Team at KTP@uwe.ac.uk to find out more.
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