Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2026 - 2027 Round 4

Eligibility recorded

Through the KTP programme, Innovate UK seeks to support innovative businesses with the ambition to scale and grow in the UK. Who can apply Through the KTP programme, Innovate UK seeks to support innovative businesses with the ambition to scale and grow in the UK. Each Knowledge Transfer partnership (KTP) is a partnership between the following: a UK knowledge base, acting as lead organisation and submitting the application a UK registered business All projects should align with the six Industrial Strategy’s sectors prioritised by Innovate UK. Projects that do not align with one of the six priority sectors, are eligible, however, funding priority will be given to projects that align with the prioritised areas within the Industrial Strategy. The following organisations are specifically excluded from applying: UKRI, its councils and businesses owned or operated either wholly or partially by UKRI Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) central government departments and the devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Any organisation eligible to become a KTP knowledge base may not apply into KTP as a business partner. Knowledge base partner The knowledge base partner cannot work alone. The knowledge base partner must lead the project and must: be a UK registered higher education (HE) or further education (FE) institution, research technology organisation (RTO) or Catapult be registered as a knowledge base with the KTP programme invite one UK registered business into the Innovation Funding Service (IFS) application invite one Knowledge Transfer Adviser to support the application not have ownership of 50% or more of the business partner or a controlling interest via a shareholder agreement recruit associate roles in a demonstrably open and fair manner allow associates to participate in the typical working patterns of the business for the majority of the project, unless working virtually, this should take place at the business partner’s premises agree to provide at least half a day per week of academic support for the associate complete the application form in partnership with the business make sure the application is completed and submitted with the agreement of a Knowledge Transfer Adviser before the competition closes submit a current full economic costing (fEC) letter with each application if you are using the full fEC costing model and support the project in accordance with its provision provide the project secretariat reach an intellectual property (IP) agreement with the business partner before the project commences agree to attend specified meetings at a location identified by the business partner ensure that none of the proposed academic team are directors, consultants or otherwise engaged by the business or group As part of their involvement in the project the knowledge base partner must provide a case study to Innovate UK, using the template provided, upon completion of the project. Publications are linked to the no subsidy status of this competition. It is therefore essential that knowledge base partners publish a minimum of two academic papers for each completed project or create at least two industry focused publications per project, publicly sharing project outcomes. The business partner must be invited into IFS by the knowledge base partner to collaborate on a project. When the business partner accepts their invitation, they will need to: login or create an account enter business finance performance information and enter estimates of how the performance of the business will be impacted by the KTP, which may be updated as part of the financial reporting process Business partner Business partners cannot work alone. They must develop the project with a UK knowledge base who can provide the right skills to meet the knowledge gap within the business. We encourage business partners to approach Innovate UK Business Connect or knowledge bases to discuss the suitability of KTP for their specific circumstances. To collaborate with a knowledge base, the business partner must: be a UK registered business have two or more full time equivalent employees demonstrate the characteristics of a business with high growth potential determine the size of their business or group declare the total number of employees within the business and if part of a group of businesses, within the group complete the application form in partnership with the knowledge base partner provide evidence of their ability to financially support their contribution host the associate and provide them with day to day supervisory support host monthly supervisor, Local Management Committee (LMC) and other mandatory meetings at their own expense provide evidence that demonstrates their ability to financially support the exploitation of the project reach a written IP agreement with the knowledge base before the project commences agree to participate in the final reporting process at the conclusion of the project The business partner must provide financial accounts from the current financial year and the previous two years. Other supporting documentation may be required. For businesses less than three years old, the knowledge base or Knowledge Transfer Adviser (KTA) will give further guidance. The size, location and type of your business determine the proportion of eligible costs we will fund. If the business is part of a group, it is the overall size of the group which should be declared. Refer to the company accounts guidance or speak to your accountant to help determine the overall size of your business or group. The KTP programme is accessible to any UK registered business. This is normally demonstrated on a public register, such as on Companies House . The registered name and registration number provided must match the official public register. UK subsidiary businesses of overseas parent companies are eligible, provided they are individually registered in the UK. Where a business is not registered at Companies House the business must provide evidence of the legal status and ownership of the business. The knowledge base and the business partner must sign a joint commitment statement. The business partner’s registered name must be used for both the application and the joint commitment statement. You must deliver an exploitation plan during your project. By completing all sections of the application form you will have completed your initial exploitation plan. Subcontractors Subcontractors are not allowed in this competition. Sanctions This competition will not fund you, or provide any financial benefit to any individual or entities directly or indirectly involved with you, which would expose Innovate UK or any direct or indirect beneficiary of funding from Innovate UK to UK Sanctions . For example, through any procurement, commercial, business development or supply chain activity with any entity as lead, partner or subcontractor related to these countries, administrations and terrorist groups . Use of animals in research and innovation Innovate UK expects and supports the provision and safeguarding of welfare standards for animals used in research and innovation, according to best practice and up to date guidance. Applicants must ensure that all of the proposed work within projects, both that in the UK and internationally, will comply with the UKRI guidance on the use of animals in research and innovation . Any projects selected for funding which involve animals will be asked to provide additional information on welfare and ethical considerations, as well as compliance with any relevant legislation as part of the project start-up process. This information will be reviewed before an award is made. No subsidy This competition has been designed to provide funding that is not classed by Innovate UK as a subsidy. Your eligibility to be given an award on a ‘No Subsidy’ basis will be determined by Innovate UK after you have submitted your application. You should still seek independent legal advice on what this means for you, before applying. Further information about the Subsidy Control Act 2022 requirements can be found within the Subsidy Control Act 2022 . It is the responsibility of the lead organisation to make sure all collaborators in the project remain compliant with the ‘No Subsidy’ status they are awarded. It is important to note that it is the activity that an organisation is engaged in as part of the project and not its intentions, that define whether any support provided could be considered a subsidy. EU State aid rules now only apply in limited circumstances. See the Windsor Framework to check if these rules apply to your organisation. In the ‘Project details’ section of your application you will be asked questions to indicate if State Aid or Subsidy applies to your organisation. Further Information If you are unsure about your obligations under the Subsidy Control Act 2022 regime you should take independent legal advice. We cannot advise on individual eligibility or legal obligations. Funding Find out about the cost of participating in KTP and understand which project costs are eligible for funding . Any funding is provided on a no subsidy basis. This means you must publish or make all project outputs openly available on a non-selective basis. If you decide to commercially exploit project outputs, you can only do so with no selective advantage. Contribution from Innovate UK Innovate UK has commitment a budget of £12.5 million for this round of the KTP programme, which will contribute towards the total eligible costs of the individual projects. Innovate may choose to commit more than this figure based on known historic commitment levels within the programme. The grant contribution to your project may be funded wholly or in part by one or more of the KTP financial supporters. You must choose at least one of the following financial supporters: UKRI KTP (Innovate UK) Invest Northern Ireland Welsh Government The delivery of

Recorded geography: United Kingdom

Applicant types