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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Meet Aswath Ganesan Indra MSc Robotics graduate and Co-founder of GI Healthcare – our first international student to successfully secure the Innovator Founder visa. He is on a mission to develop advanced food tech products to make freshly cooked healthy food easily accessible and affordable to anyone anytime, anywhere – even beyond earth. His story showcases how … Continue reading "Enterprise that fuels progress: Aswath Ganesan Indra; Student to Space-Tech Entrepreneur"
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Following the success of the 2024 cohort, UWE Bristol is renewing its partnership with the Women’s Higher Education Network (WHEN) for the 2026 cohort of the 100 Black Women Professors Now programme, addressing career progression gaps for global majority staff as part of our commitment to becoming an anti-racist institution. Throughout this month we will … Continue reading "Programme Spotlight: Dr. Tinkuma Edafioghor, 100 Black Women Professors Now"
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Dr Tariq Umar, School of Architecture and Environment at UWE Bristol, visited University of Malaya (UM), Malaysia to participate in the collaborative activities of external funded project “Building psychological resilience in women leaders: strengthening support systems in Malaysian and Indonesian universities” – funded by Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Regional Institute for Higher … Continue reading "Research visit to University of Malaya, Malaysia"
Research visit to University of Malaya, Malaysia
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Empowering regional talent through flexible learning At UWE Bristol, we believe that real change begins with people – those who are ready to learn, grow, and lead. The Skills Pathway Programme was created to do just that: to equip professionals across the West of England with the tools and confidence to shape a more sustainable … Continue reading "Skills that empower – the Skills Pathway Programme: building a greener future through retrofit and sustainability"
Skills that empower – the Skills Pathway Programme: building a greener future through retrofit and sustainability
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In early October, the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) will host the 2nd Workshop on Enabling Independence with Robotic Solutions for Enhanced Wellbeing. The event brings together experts from sociology, psychiatry, gerontology, dementia care, and robotics to explore how socially assistive robots can support independence, dignity, and wellbeing for people living with dementia. We spoke to … Continue reading "Innovation with impact – exploring robotic solutions for dementia care: in conversation with Dr Carlos Cifuentes"
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Living with a visible difference, such as alopecia, eczema, burns and skin conditions can affect confidence, wellbeing, and everyday experiences, from school life to social media. For many years, UWE researchers have been working with charities and people with lived experience to create resources that make a difference. Now, for the first time, those resources … Continue reading "Research with purpose – the Visible Difference Support Hub"
Research with purpose – the Visible Difference Support Hub
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A new book from UWE Bristol colleagues is shining a light on how we can take a fresh approach to preventing sexual abuse. Content note: This blog discusses sexual abuse and prevention. The book, Developing and Implementing a Public Health and Criminological Approach to Tackling Sexual Abuse, has been written by Professor Kieran McCartan, Dr … Continue reading "Developing and implementing a public health and criminological approach to tackling sexual abuse"
Developing and implementing a public health and criminological approach to tackling sexual abuse
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The Centre for Machine Vision (CMV) at UWE Bristol have recently won funding to investigate towards a Holistic Assessment of Animal Welfare using Emotion and Deep Learning, building on prior work from CMV. The project aims to develop technology for automated assessment of animal emotional wellbeing through the interpretation of body language, informed by work … Continue reading "UWE Bristol win funding to use Deep Learning to create a Holistic Assessment of Animal Welfare "
UWE Bristol win funding to use Deep Learning to create a Holistic Assessment of Animal Welfare
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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