Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

A KTP is essentially a partnership between a Company and a Knowledge Base who work together on a development project that would typically last between one and three years and that is strategically important to the company's future.

This requires expertise from the Knowledge Base and will be a challenge for the Associate (employed to deliver the project). 

Such projects may include:

• Product improvement
• New product development
• Increasing the efficiency of manufacturing and logistics processes
• Marketing strategy development
• Applying technology to processes
• Application of science to business
• Health and education performance

The University of Chester as a Knowledge Base:

We are one of the fastest growing HE institutions in the country, with seven Faculties and more than 400 academic staff.

The University has knowledge and expertise in a wide range of generic and specific areas of relevance to local businesses including:

• Marketing
• Information Technology Solutions
• Technical Knowledge specific to most industry sectors
• Business Processes

There are 3 main objectives for a KTP:

• To facilitate the transfer of technology and the spread of technical and business skills
• To stimulate and enhance business relevant research and training undertaken by the Knowledge Base
• To provide company based training for Associates to enhance their business and specialist skills

Essentially, each KTP should benefit all participants, i.e.:

• Be of strategic importance to the company
• Require expertise from the Knowledge Base Partner
• Be a challenge for the Associate

Each participating partner can benefit from the KTP as follows:

The Business:

• Government funding for business development
• Acquisition of knowledge and expertise
• Opportunity to turn business ideas into reality
• Improved financial performance
• Improve business competitiveness through technology and knowledge transfer

The Knowledge Base:

• Contact and collaboration with business and industry
• Assist with strategic change in business
• Academic and research staff development
• Research and publication opportunities
• Development of case studies, teaching material and student projects

The Associate:

• Extensive professional and management training
• Opportunity to make a valuable contribution to a business improvement
• Professional accreditation
• Career development

KTP is a Technology Strategy Board (TSB) (formerly DIUS & DTI) programme. THE TSB are the lead funding sponsor of 18 funding organisations currently in the programme.

More information can be found at www.ktponline.org.uk Each project is part funded by a Government grant issued to the Knowledge Base Partner to cover the cost of participating in the KTP, with the balance of the costs coming from the company partner. The grant from the sponsor and the contribution from the company cover the costs of employing the Associate, the cost of staff from the Knowledge Base directly involved in the project, equipment and travel costs, the Knowledge Base's indirect and administrative costs and the costs associated with the development of the Associate.

What will the company have to pay?

This is determined by the number of KTP Associates, the length of the project, the size of the company and, in some cases, the location of the company/Knowledge Base. As a guide, for companies participating in a KTP for the first time their contribution can be estimated as follows:

• Fewer than 250 employees (SME) -would be expected to contribute around a third of the total project costs i.e. £20k per year as current average annual costs are £60k

• More than 250 employees - should expect to contribute around half of the total project costs i.e. £30k per year

The KTP grant and company contribution is paid directly to the Knowledge Base. Companies will therefore be invoiced directly by the Knowledge Base, typically quarterly in arrears.

More detailed information on the funding of KTPs can be accessed through the main KTP website.

Our Research & Knowledge Transfer Office will also be happy to answer any queries that you may have.

There are a number of stages involved in setting up a KTP:

1. Checking the feasibility of your idea
2. Forming a Knowledge Transfer Partnership
3. Completing a Grant Application and Proposal Form
4. Submitting the Proposal
5. Consideration of the Proposal
6. Issue of a Grant Offer Letter
7. Recruitment of a KTP Associate

Our Knowledge Transfer Team is based within the Research & Knowledge Transfer Office.

If this is the first time you are looking at working with a University, the Knowledge Transfer Team can help direct you to the relevant member of staff who may be able to help you.

The Knowledge Transfer Team can specifically assist with KTPs by:

• Advising on potential KTPs and assessing their feasibility
• Guiding staff on the processes involved
• Providing administrative support including assisting with the compilation and submission of applications
• Developing projects with the partners
• Supporting the project management of KTP Programmes
• Promoting KTPs to the academic community within the institution
• Promoting KTPs to the University's graduates and undergraduates
• Providing financial and other key management data for the duration of the project