Knowledge transfer partnerships for business

KTP has worked with over 3,000 organisations. From manufacturing to design, sustainability to marketing; any business sector, including third sector and public sector organisations such as the NHS, can take part. Participants most prove that their business can support the project both financially and in terms of supervision. A project has to be commercially beneficial and this has to be clear from the outset.

A member of the Kingston University team will meet you and discuss your organisation's needs. They can recommend going forwards with a KTP or discuss a range of other services that may be appropriate.

An SME would contribute around 33% of the cost of the project which will be on average £35,000 per year. Large companies will contribute 50% which will be about a £55,000 contribution per year annually.

Eligible project costs depend on many factors including project duration, the nature and location of the work etc.

From a first meeting, and with full commitment from all partners, the lead time to submitting an application would typically take a minimum of two months. Recruitment can start within a month of a successful submission. There are six submission deadlines per year, with a gap over Christmas. Partnerships can run for up to three years. It is also possible to run two programmes concurrently.

The KTP associate is employed by the University on behalf of your company, so you do not have an extra person on your payroll. The budget also includes allowances for travel, expenses and equipment, all subsidised by the grant.

The Associate works in the company as a member of staff, keeping to company hours and regulations. The project can also draw on University resources, including expertise from other departments, equipment and facilities and our extensive library and online databases.

The type of project suitable for a KTP is:

• a strategic one, which has an impact on the company's growth or future success
• something that would benefit from academic expertise
• a challenge that will stretch the graduate and offer them a chance to apply their knowledge.

Examples of KTP projects include:

• Developing new technologies, digital platforms and mobile applications across many sectors
• Improving customer experience and increasing sales
• Embedding knowledge in marketing, branding and product design
• Researching materials and concept testing
• Developing quality assurance frameworks and systems
• Developing and embedding in-house skills and expertise.

The steering group for a project can agree changes in objectives, provided that the main context of the project remains the same.

We endeavour to take the burden of administrative work for the project, so that all you have to do is jointly oversee the graduate with the support of the academic supervisor.

A member of the Kingston University Partnerships and Business Engagement team, working alongside an appropriately qualified academic, will help you develop a project proposal which sets out clear aims, objectives and outcomes. KTPs may not be appropriate for small or start-up organisations if they do not have the resources to provide active management and financial support for the project.

When the proposal has been accepted by the funding body, the associate is employed by the University to work in the company for approximately 90% of their time. The remaining time is spent on professional and personal development or training, which often brings added benefits to the project. The academic supervisor will spend approximately 10% of their time with the associate to ensure knowledge is transferred. If appropriate, the associate may have the opportunity to also study for a higher degree.