All ITT Centres of Excellence offer the opportunity for businesses to engage in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs). 

KTPs enable collaboration between businesses and universities and research organisations, fostering innovation and driving positive impact.

By participating in a KTP, your business gains access to a wealth of resources and expertise. As an employer, you'll benefit from a dedicated graduate employee who brings fresh perspectives and specialised knowledge to your organisation. Moreover, you'll have direct access to academic professionals whose backgrounds and research profiles align with your project, ensuring guidance from leading experts and leveraging university resources to propel your innovation goals.

Currently, the KTP network comprises over 800 businesses, 100 knowledge bases (including universities and research organisations), and more than 800 actively engaged graduates. These collaborative and transformative partnerships empower organisations to harness the power of academia and research, fostering innovation and making a positive impact.

Throughout your KTP journey, you will be supported by knowledgeable and experienced Knowledge Transfer Advisers (KTAs) from Innovate UK KTN. Our KTAs provide expertise and guidance at every stage of the KTP, ensuring a seamless and successful collaboration between all partners.

If your organisation is passionate about sustainable practices, corporate social responsibility (CSR), or environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, a KTP project is the perfect fit for you. Projects can also focus on strategic business solutions, such as generating new products, developing markets, improving operating processes and systems, or increasing sustainability. Each ITT Centre will have dedicated areas of expertise. Leeds Beckett focus on sustainability and CSR for example.

In addition to KTPs, there are other funding opportunities available. The Innovate UK Grants competition, running year-round, funds cutting-edge or disruptive ideas and concepts with a view to commercialisation. UK-based businesses of any size can lead a Smart Grant application, and research organisations in a consortium can share up to 30% of the total eligible project costs. Innovate UK funds between 25% and 70% of eligible project costs, depending on the size of the business and the project type. 

For smaller projects, individual universities also offer local sources of funding. For example, the SME Innovation Scheme at the University of Surrey provides funding through the SME Innovation Voucher Scheme. Each Innovation Voucher fully covers the cost of services provided by the university, valued between £5,000 and £10,000.

At Manchester Met, the KTP program places a carefully selected high-quality graduate, supported by a leading academic team, within your business for a duration of 1 to 3 years. The graduate will work on a specific project aimed at significantly and permanently improving your business's performance. 

For more information, and to talk to the relevant contact at each university, please contact Paul Evans, Head of Membership on 0844 4995 653 or paul@itt.co.uk.