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Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2026 – 2027 Round 1

Description

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme facilitates strategic innovation projects by linking UK businesses with knowledge base partners (universities, research organisations, Catapults). The aim is to embed new skills and knowledge into businesses via an Associate (the person employed to work on the project) to deliver specific innovation outcomes and grow the business’s competitiveness.

Funding amount

  • Total funding available across the round: £10 million.
  • Per project: Funding varies by business size and project costs; this is not a fixed award per project but follows the KTP cost and contribution model (detailed guidance on eligible costs and funding proportions is provided in the programme guidance).

The grant contributes toward eligible project costs, with typically:

  • up to ~67 % grant contribution for micro, small or medium enterprises (SMEs);
  • up to ~50 % grant contribution for large businesses.

(The business partner also contributes to project costs per KTP rules.)

Submission deadlines

  • Competition opens: 2 February 2026.
  • Competition closes: 1 April 2026 at 11:00 am (UK time).
  • Funders panel / notifications: mid‑June 2026.

Projects typically begin shortly after award and run between 12 and 36 months, depending on KTP design.

Submission conditions

Applicants must:

  • submit a complete application via the Innovation Funding Service;
  • be supported by an Innovate UK appointed Knowledge Transfer Adviser (KTA) before submission;
  • clearly show the strategic importance of the project to the business partner;
  • ensure compliance with programme rules (including publication obligations and non‑subsidy requirements where applicable);
  • include all required supporting documentation, including full economic cost (fEC) letters where relevant.

Eligible types of businesses / organisations

To participate:

  • Lead organisation: UK registered knowledge base partner (universities, further/higher education institutions, research and technology organisations, or Catapults).
  • Business partner: UK registered business (any size) invited into the application by the knowledge base partner.
  • Projects must include both partners; knowledge base partners cannot apply alone.

Expected Outcome

Funded KTPs should:

  • embed new skills, capability, knowledge and innovation within the business partner;
  • deliver innovations that strengthen business performance, productivity or competitiveness;
  • provide the Associate with valuable industry experience and expertise development;
  • produce at least two academically or industry‑focused publications on project outcomes (required for the programme’s non‑subsidy status when outputs are public).

Scope

Projects must:

  • deliver a strategic innovation project that tackles a business challenge and embeds new knowledge into the business partner;
  • involve a UK knowledge base partner (institution such as a university, FE/HE, Catapult, or research and technology organisation) leading the application;
  • be aligned with the UK’s Industrial Strategy challenge areas (e.g., advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital technologies and other sectors);
  • result in demonstrable innovation and capability building within the business partner.

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