Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2026 - 2027 Round 4

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme allows UK registered businesses to partner with a UK knowledge base partner—such as a higher education institution, further education institution, research and technology organisation (RTO), or Catapult—to deliver strategic innovation projects. The collaboration brings new academic thinking and specialised skills into the business by embedding a recruited associate into the company. Innovate UK seeks to support innovative businesses demonstrating the ambition and characteristics of high growth potential across the UK. Projects typically span 24 months, with extensions up to 36 months considered where justified. The business partner must have at least two full-time equivalent employees, demonstrate the ability to financially support its contribution and project exploitation, and provide financial accounts from the current year and previous two years.

Applications must be led and submitted by the UK knowledge base partner via the Innovation Funding Service (IFS), who invites the UK registered business partner and a Knowledge Transfer Adviser (KTA) to collaborate and complete the application before the deadline.