Knowledge Transfer Partnership: 2026 to 2027 round 4
UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults can apply for a share of up to £12.5 million to fund innovation projects with businesses.
UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults can apply for a share of up to £12.5 million to fund innovation projects with businesses.Innovate UK
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Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) help SMEs access specialist expertise and graduate talent to deliver a strategic innovation project, building capabilities the SMEs do not currently have in-house.
How it supports SMEs
Funding towards project costs: SMEs can receive a grant covering a significant portion of eligible costs, with the business paying the balance. This reduces the cost of accessing expertise and delivering innovation.
A dedicated person to drive delivery: a KTP Associate works primarily within the business, supported by a university, college, research and technology organisation or Catapult. The academic supervisor provides at least half a day of support each week.
Support for growth-focused innovation: projects tackle a specific strategic business challenge, such as developing products, services or processes. The emphasis is on transferring knowledge and embedding lasting capability—not simply buying consultancy or outsourcing research.find-government-grants+1
A structured partnership: the SME and knowledge-base partner develop the project together, with the knowledge base leading the application and a Knowledge Transfer Adviser supporting the process.