Up to 67% of Project Costs for UK Business Innovation – Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme helps UK businesses collaborate with universities, colleges, research organisations or Catapults to bring specialist knowledge and academic expertise into a strategic innovation project.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Up to 67% of eligible project costs funded for SMEs

• Up to 50% of eligible project costs funded for large businesses

• £12.5 million available across this funding round

• Funding towards an innovation project delivered between a business and UK knowledge base

• Access to academic expertise and specialist knowledge

• A dedicated KTP Associate recruited to work on the project

• Support for strategic innovation with potential to help the business scale and grow

• Projects are generally designed to be delivered within 24 months

• Longer projects can be considered where there is a clear justification.

Who can apply?

• UK-registered higher or further education institutions

• UK Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs)

• UK Catapults

• Applications must be led by the eligible knowledge base

• The partnership must include a UK-registered business

• The business must have at least two full-time equivalent employees

• Businesses must demonstrate high-growth potential

• A Knowledge Transfer Adviser must support the application

• SMEs and large businesses can participate

• Projects aligned with the six priority Industrial Strategy sectors receive funding priority, although projects outside these areas can still be eligible.

Deadline: 14 October 2026 at 11:00am – OPEN.