Knowledge Exchange Funding Opportunities
Far too many ideas for growth fall by the wayside from a perceived lack of funding. It's a chronic problem. Perfectly plausible possibilities that can spark growth or explore and develop innovation are dismissed without ever seeing the light of day. Why? Simply because it's assumed funds aren't available to resource the additional skills, time and knowledge to make them happen.
The greatest opportunity isn't in the idea, it's in the conversation. In sharing your ideas with us, once the goal has been understood and clarified, it's conceivable that other approaches that are fundable can emerge to reach similar if not better outcomes.
As we discuss growth challenges with all kinds of organisations, we're able to introduce them to less-than obvious funding opportunities.
We're always searching for accessible funding to make happen a meaningful exchange of knowledge and insights between the business community, our academics, students and alumni. And because we've been doing this for a while now, we do this increasingly effectively.
So perhaps you're an individual or SME looking to grow and develop a new product or service with experts at the cutting edge of research. Or maybe you're a larger organisation ambitious to increase your competitive advantage and annual profitability. Perhaps you have a business concept or idea but need additional skills, time and knowledge to bring your project to life.
If so, our Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme that utilises academic and graduate expertise to support your growth and innovation plans can help. Find out more below.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
KTPs introduce you to the right knowledge and expertise from the University of Suffolk, utilising our academic and graduate expertise to support your growth and new strategic and commercial plans. Click each section below to discover how it works:
KTPs bring three partners together to collaborate on your specific challenge: one of our university academics (the Knowledge Base Partner), a recent graduate or post-graduate (the Associate) and you, as an individual or organisation. The three partners work together to reach your objectives (delivered by the Associate – based at your premises wherever possible).
KTPs are available to organisations of all sizes, and we want you to make a successful application. Therefore KTP applications are structured into themed calls to enable you to plan how the project will fit best into your operation.
KTPs can come from any sector or industry – from technology and the creative industries through to environmental technologies. With the help of a dedicated KTP advisor, we’ll help you find the right Academic and Associate to suit your needs. You can then shape a collaborative project that will enable you to draw on our expertise and apply it commercially. Partnerships can last from one to three years.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is a UK-wide programme, funded by Innovate UK. It helps organisations to improve innovation, competitiveness and productivity through better use of the knowledge, technology and skills available within universities and other parts of the UK knowledge base.
To provide a strategic deliverable for your operation, which you could not deliver independently without the injection of expertise from the university (or from consultancy elsewhere).
Provide a fast-track career start for a talented KTP Associate, who can be at graduate, masters or PhD level.
Focus the university on keeping and extending our expertise in the applied fields, which is the focus of your project, and to enhance our teaching and research.
Your organisation acquires new knowledge, which is firmly and sustainably embedded in your operation, typically resulting in an increase in annual profit before tax, on average, of £366,000, with the potential of further commercial benefits from the application of new intellectual property (source: Innovate UK).
Opportunity to employ Associate at the end of the KTP; 64% of Associates accept the offer of a job with their KTP commissioner.
Every £1 of the KTP grant invested results in £8 of net extra Growth Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy.
Depending on the size of your operation, you could be eligible for up to 67% funding towards a KTP as an SME. This works out approximately as a £27,000/year cost saving, covering the graduate’s salary, training, academic consultancy and some money for
travel and project materials. For larger companies the funding is 50%, worth approximately £40,000 a year.
Plus, your payments may well be eligible for R&D Corporation Tax Credits.
Associates are critical to playing a key role in your operation, managing and implementing your project’s aims, as well as facilitating knowledge transfer between you and the Knowledge Base.
The Associate is employed by us but works in your organisation, which de-risks your recruitment process and doesn’t affect your headcount. Once the KTP has finished, you can employ the Associate permanently or in a consultancy type of role, whatever works best for everyone involved.
KTP Associate vacancies appeal to a large number of recent university graduates and postgraduates nationally, so you have access to a wide pool of talent.
The KTP programme has inbuilt management development and training, making it a competitive option for talented people looking to commence or accelerate their careers.
KTP is a tried and tested UK-wide programme that has helped all kinds of applicants successfully for 40 years.
You’ll get support for your KTP application from us and a Knowledge Transfer Advisor from Innovate UK. Currently, the success rate of proposals is 85%. Many organisations go on to access further support from us or the government as a result of their KTP experience.
There are a number of sector and ‘open’ competition deadlines a year, so whenever you get in touch, we can advise the timing for your specific project idea or other ways of working with us if a KTP doesn’t meet your immediate needs.
For more information on how to apply, visit Innovate UK, or contact ktp@uos.ac.uk.
The KTP scheme helps all kinds of applicants in the UK to innovate and grow. It does this by linking them with an academic or research organisation like our university and a graduate known as an Associate. The scheme can last between 12 and 36 months, depending on what the project is and the applicant’s needs.
Key benefits for a KTP Associate:
- after the KTP has completed, most Associates are retained by the applicant
- Associates can use 10% of their time for personal development, supported by a £2k/year budget (including any management
training with the project host) - competitive salary and an opportunity for a higher degree during the project
- development of a new product or service that could be the first of its kind in the marketplace
- academic support throughout the project’s duration
- corporate company benefits and attendance at key events to showcase the new project
- working in an area that is of interest to you, alongside individuals who share the same interest.
For more information, please email our KTP Manager.