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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%).

KTP diagram

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).