Up to £40 million is available this financial year for businesses
to collaborate with an academic or research organisation and a
graduate on a Knowledge Transfer
Partnership.
Translate the latest research into commercial success
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships offer funding and support for a
UK business to bring a graduate into their organisation and work
on an innovation project.
The idea is that it will enable the business to translate
academic thinking into commercial products and services, leading
to growth and future development.
Projects can focus on any technology or industry area and last
between 1 and 3 years. Businesses should have a specific project
in mind when applying.
If a business already has a relationship with a university,
college or research and technology organisation, they can choose
to work with them. Alternatively, they can contact a Knowledge
Transfer Adviser to find a partner and get advice, including
support with their application.
Applications should:
- outlines who the participants are
- set out the objectives of the project
- explain what the project is proposing to do
- set deliverables for the graduate
Specialist machinery manufacturer, Cygnet Texkimp and
the University of
Manchester previously took part in a 2-year Knowledge
Transfer Partnership.
Their project brought in PhD graduate and composites academic, Dr
Yan Liu, who helped to develop the world’s first 3D winder for
carbon fibre. This machine is able to create complex and curved
composite parts for use in next generation, lightweight,
fuel-efficient cars and aeroplanes.
This success saw Yan offered a permanent role with Cygnet
Texkimp.
- applications for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are open
throughout the year
- the deadline for applications for this round is 31 October
2018. If an application misses a deadline it will automatically
be entered into the next round
- projects can last between 1 and 3 years
- any size business or not-for-profit organisation may apply.
This will affect the amount of grant you can get and your
contribution. Typically:
- small and medium-sized enterprises contribute around
£35,000 per year, or about one-third of the project costs
- large businesses contribute about £55,000 per year, or
half of the project costs
