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.
-
In June 2025, UWE Bristol hosted the UK’s first dedicated research workshop on Ecocide in Global Politics, bringing together early career researchers from across the country to explore this urgent and emerging issue. The event was convened by Dr Suwita Hani Randhawa, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, with support from the British Academy … Continue reading "UWE Bristol researcher leads first UK workshop on ecocide in global politics"
UWE Bristol researcher leads first UK workshop on ecocide in global politics
-
As a member of the UK delegation to the State of Para, Dr Tariq Umar, Senior Lecturer from the School of Architecture and Environment (UWE Bristol) visited Brazil to mentor Early Career Researchers (ECRs) on biodiversity and climate resilience. This visit (from 9 to 13 August 2025) is part of the Eco Brazil project that … Continue reading "Project Eco Brazil: Mentoring Early Career Researchers on biodiversity and climate resilience"
Project Eco Brazil: Mentoring Early Career Researchers on biodiversity and climate resilience
-
Over three unforgettable weeks in May and June, the 2025 Project Zulu Choir Tour brought energy, rhythm and joy to audiences across the South West and Wales. Twenty young performers and five teachers from Sipheni Senior Primary School and Sithobelumthetho Primary School in Madadeni Township, South Africa, travelled to the UK to share traditional Zulu … Continue reading "A record-breaking tour: The 2025 Project Zulu Choir visit"
A record-breaking tour: The 2025 Project Zulu Choir visit
-
With autumn approaching, it’s the ideal time to invest in professional growth – for yourself or your team – and build valuable new skills. At UWE Bristol, we’re pleased to be delivering a range of programmes and courses, many of which are heavily subsidised and open to both independent learners and employees of small and … Continue reading "Funded Skills Programmes and Professional Development courses starting at UWE Bristol in Autumn 2025"
Funded Skills Programmes and Professional Development courses starting at UWE Bristol in Autumn 2025
-
How can universities better embed health and wellbeing into everything they do – from teaching and research, to student experience and policy? That was the focus of the 2025 International Health Promoting Campuses (IHPC) Conference, hosted by the University of Limerick, where UWE Bristol helped shape a major new global framework. Associate Professor Dr Liz … Continue reading "UWE helps shape international Framework for Health Promoting Campuses"
UWE helps shape international Framework for Health Promoting Campuses
-
The first delivery of SmartSocks®DISCOVERY – sensor-embedded wearable socks developed by Bristol health-tech company Milbotix – has arrived at UWE Bristol. These smart wearables will play a key role in the university’s ageing and assistive tech research, as part of the SAW-Health project led by the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL). Funded by the Medical Research … Continue reading "SmartSocks® land at UWE Bristol to support innovative ageing research"
SmartSocks® land at UWE Bristol to support innovative ageing research
-
What might it mean for time to be felt or embodied? How can the study of time help us understand complex lived experiences such as ageing, illness, incarceration or displacement? These were just some of the questions explored at Touching Time: Duration, Bodies, Politics – a two-day international symposium co-organised by Dr Jessie Stanier, Lecturer … Continue reading "“Touching Time”: UWE Bristol co-hosts international symposium on embodied time and experience"
“Touching Time”: UWE Bristol co-hosts international symposium on embodied time and experience
-
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"
UKRI funding secured to co-design an inclusive roadmap for future high performance computing infrastructure
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.
Sign up to our mailing list
To stay up-to-date with the latest news, sign up to our mailing list to receive the UWE Bristol Business e-newsletter.
Transforming tomorrow, today.
Our unique approach to research, innovation, skills, enterprise and just and ethical practices is driving societal improvements and transforming futures for the better.
RISEYou may also be interested in

Graduate recruitment
UWE Bristol graduates really work for business. Employers tell us they’re more industry-ready than others they’ve welcomed into the workplace.

Employing graduate and student interns
UWE Bristol graduate and student interns can offer your business a great deal, with subsidised student or graduate talent, ready to meet to your individual business requirements.

Collaborative research
Find out how you can work with us on research to drive your business forward.

Funded skills programmes
Affordable programmes to strengthen leadership, drive innovation and advance sustainability.