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GrantUK-wide

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)

Innovate UK (UKRI)

Description

Part-funds a three-way partnership between a UK business, a university/college/research organisation, and a graduate or post-doc 'Associate' employed to embed a specific piece of academic expertise into the business — most often to develop a new product, process or capability the business couldn't build alone. Innovate UK pays up to 67% of eligible project costs for a micro, small or medium-sized business, or up to 50% for a large company, with the business funding the balance; total eligible costs run at roughly £8,500 a month, and projects are normally 12 to 36 months long. Note the unusual application mechanics: the knowledge base (not the business) is the lead applicant and submits the bid, and an Innovate UK-appointed Knowledge Transfer Adviser has to support the application before it can go in — so a business can't apply to this cold. Verified October 2026 against the live Innovation Funding Service competition: the 2026–27 Round 3 competition opened 13 August 2026 with up to £12.5 million available and closes at 11:00am on 14 October 2026, and for this round applicants are encouraged to design projects deliverable within 24 months rather than the full 36.

Amount

Innovate UK funds up to 67% of eligible project costs for SMEs, or up to 50% for large companies (business pays the balance); total eligible costs typically around £8,500 per month, with up to £12.5 million available across the 2026–27 Round 3 competition

Deadline

14 October 2026

Eligibility summary

  • Available across the whole UK (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).
  • Applicant must be a registered business.
  • Most relevant to: Research & Development, Technology & Digital, Manufacturing.
Notes
Runs in periodic competition rounds rather than continuously, so the deadline here is round-specific — check the Innovation Funding Service for the next round if this one has closed. Applications must be supported by an Innovate UK-appointed Knowledge Transfer Adviser (KTA), which means the practical first step for a business is finding an academic partner and a KTA, not filling in a form. R&D tax relief can be used to recover part of the business's own contribution.
Requirement
The business partner must be UK-registered, have two or more full-time-equivalent employees, and be able to demonstrate the characteristics of a business with high growth potential.
Applicant type
A UK-registered higher education or further education institution, research and technology organisation (RTO) or Catapult leads and submits the application, partnered with a UK-registered business.

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How to apply

The academic/research partner applies via the UKRI Innovation Funding Service during an open round, with the support of an Innovate UK-appointed Knowledge Transfer Adviser. As a business, approach a university or Catapult with relevant expertise (or contact Innovate UK Business Connect) to be matched with a knowledge base and a KTA well before a round's closing date.

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Last verified: 8 October 2026. See the footer disclaimer — this is general information, not financial or tax advice.