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
About the KTP team
Watch this one minute video to find out how we bring together academics, graduates, and businesses on strategic projects.
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, Business and Innovation (RBI) blog to find out more about our case studies.
Research, Business and Innovation (RBI) blog
Keep up-to-date with all our innovative research via our blog.
-
UWE Bristol is leading one of six community groups awarded funding to advance sensitive data research from the DARE UK (Data and Analytics Research Environments UK) programme, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). This new funding round builds on the achievements of the 2024 pilot funding round, which saw four community groups—three interest groups … Continue reading "UWE Bristol awarded funding to support sensitive data research "
UWE Bristol awarded funding to support sensitive data research
-
Dr. Rounaq Nayak, Senior Lecturer in Farming Systems, recently completed a project funded the National Innovation Centre Rural Enterprise (NICRE) that aimed to identify the mechanism whereby emerging natural capital investment markets can contribute to a successful rural economy. This was achieved in two ways. First, by examining how rural enterprises navigate voluntary carbon and … Continue reading "UWE Bristol research evaluates the accessibility and inclusivity of voluntary carbon markets in the UK"
UWE Bristol research evaluates the accessibility and inclusivity of voluntary carbon markets in the UK
-
Dr Tariq Umar, Senior Lecturer at the School of Architecture and Environment at UWE Bristol, visited three universities and three civil society organizations in Indonesia as part of the “Developing inclusive policies and practices for greater accessibility in Higher Education” project. Dr Umar, in collaboration with Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama (UNU) Yogyakarta, Indonesia, had received funding … Continue reading "Academic visit to Indonesian universities and civil society organizations"
Academic visit to Indonesian universities and civil society organizations
-
By Professor Kieran McCartan On Friday the 24th January, we hosted the 10th Public Health and Criminal Justice network event at UWE Bristol. The event focused on “What next for Health and Justice?” and had over 80 participants from academic, health, public health, prisons, policing, probation and local government from across the southwest of England. … Continue reading "SW Public Health and Criminal Justice Network: What next for Health and Justice?"
SW Public Health and Criminal Justice Network: What next for Health and Justice?
-
A collaborative research team, led by UWE Bristol, has produced a policy briefing based on findings from a legislative and policy analysis of Welsh educational documentation. The project team consists of researchers from Cardiff Metropolitan University; Swansea University, University of South Wales and UWE Bristol. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded project has … Continue reading "UWE Bristol research project launches policy briefing outlining findings from a legislative and policy analysis of Welsh educational documentation "
UWE Bristol research project launches policy briefing outlining findings from a legislative and policy analysis of Welsh educational documentation
-
UWE Bristol is thrilled to announce its participation in Sustainable Fashion Week (SFW) // Future Citizens Project, an inspiring initiative taking place from 24th February to 2nd March. Traditionally held in September, SFW is expanding with a February edition to align with global fashion weeks, amplifying its reach and impact. This new week of action … Continue reading "UWE Bristol joins forces with Sustainable Fashion Week // Future Citizens Project to drive climate action through community events"
UWE Bristol joins forces with Sustainable Fashion Week // Future Citizens Project to drive climate action through community events
-
The Global Migration Network, a research group at UWE Bristol chaired by Dr Emily LeRoux-Rutledge, brings together 60+ academics and practitioners from across the university working on migration-related research. The aim is to facilitate and contribute to cross-disciplinary research on migration, inform policy and public debate, and engage with users of migration research. The Network has … Continue reading "Global Migration Network Seminar Series 2025"
Global Migration Network Seminar Series 2025
-
Simon Flenley-Pond, Assistant Director of Apprenticeships, explains how apprenticeships develop real-world skills to apply into the workplace and why higher and degree apprenticeships are so important for the employer, university, and apprentice. Find out more about our higher and degree apprenticeships and explore the many higher and degree apprenticeship courses on offer with us. To choose UWE … Continue reading "Why UWE Bristol are so invested in Higher and degree apprenticeships"
Why UWE Bristol are so invested in Higher and degree apprenticeships
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.
You 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.

Employing placement students
Discover how much UWE Bristol placement students can offer, from sandwich year placements to shorter project-specific skill-boosts.

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