University of Oxford Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Introduction to the KTP Scheme
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) involves the formation of a partnership between a company, a UK university (the ‘Knowledge Base Partner’) and a graduate or postgraduate known as the KTP Associate. The partnership aims to facilitate the transfer of university research outcomes to embed new capability within the company; leading to new tools, products or services. The scheme aims to help UK companies improve their competitiveness, productivity and performance through the better use of the knowledge, technology and skills available within the UK research base. It is administered by UKRI Innovate UK on behalf of UK research councils, government departments and devolved administrations.
A KTP typically lasts between 24 and 36 months depending on the project needs. The KTP is part-funded by a grant administered through UKRI Innovate UK, with the expectation that the company will contribute financially to ensure the full cost of the project is met. The amount the company contributes is different for SMEs (33%) and large enterprises (50%).
Benefits for academics
Benefits of taking part in a KTP include, but are not limited to:
- Developing new, strategic business relationships for the academic and department, potentially leading to additional revenue streams and enhanced collaborative grant funding opportunities.
- Realisation of tangible economic and societal benefits to a company or charity through the translation of innovative research into new products or services.
- Providing the basis for an impact case study, with associated implications for REF and KEF submissions.
- Identification of new research opportunities through exposure to the relevant commercial sector.
Assessment and considerations
KTP applications are assessed along the following lines:
- Strategic relevance to the company
- Demonstrable innovation
- Sound business case, delivering high impact/wealth creation
- Clear need for Knowledge Base Partner (University of Oxford) input
- Evident knowledge transfer (not a consultancy or contract research)
Considerations to note:
- No estate costs for the KTP Associate can be claimed from Innovate UK
- Oxford can claim 100% of overhead costs for the KTP supervisor (PI)
- It is a requirement of the scheme to factor in 0.1 FTE for KTP supervision (PI)
- The KTP Office at Oxford seeks to split the KTP supervision between either two academics or an academic and senior PDRA to share the time requirement.
Closing dates for 2022
Round |
Open date |
Close date |
KTP round 5, 2022 to 2023 |
21 November 2022 |
25 January 2023 |
KTP round 1, 2023 to 2024 |
30 January 2023 |
29 March 2023 |
KTP round 2, 2023 to 2024 |
27 March 2023 |
17 May 2023 |
KTP round 3, 2023 to 2024 |
22 May 2023 |
5 July 2023 |
KTP round 4, 2023 to 2024 |
10 July 2023 |
6 September 2023 |
KTP round 5, 2023 to 2024 | 11 September 2023 | 1 November 2023 |
KTP round 6, 2023 to 2024 | 6 November 2023 | 13 December 2023 |
KTP round 7, 2023 to 2024 | 18 December 2023 | 7 February 2024 |
KTP Case Studies
How cutting-edge research is enriching engagement with the National Trust
Trusted Platform Module-Based Privacy in the Public Cloud
Contact details
For further information and to initiate an application, please contact either of the following:
Connor D’Arcy, Innovation and Business Partnerships Associate, University of Oxford KTP Office
connor.darcy@mpls.ox.ac.uk | +44 (0)7594 646491
John Styles, Information Systems Lead, Innovation and Business Partnerships Team
john.styles@mpls.ox.ac.uk | +44 (0)7506 790678
Full guidance
Please visit the KTP Guidance page to download the full guidance document (SSO required).