Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Join forces with the University through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP). Use funding to access our expertise and take new ideas forward or find innovative solutions to business-critical challenges.

See below for more information or contact the KTP team at Business@soton.ac.uk.

What can a Knowledge Transfer Partnership offer your business?

Through a KTP it's possible to access funding for two-thirds of the project costs from Innovate UK to work with a University academic team and a newly qualified graduate. A KTP will also enable you to access other skills, expertise and facilities within the University.

Business benefits

Information from Innovate UK shows that, on average, the business benefits to be expected from a single KTP project are:

Increase revenue/profits through access to new markets, new product development, increased productivity and better processes
Gain privileged and cost-effective access to the UK's world-class knowledge base and resources
Embed expertise, generate new knowledge, expand capability and foster a culture of innovation.

Profitable relationships

KTPs often result in the development of profitable long-term relationships between the company and the University. Find out more about how KTPs work and their advantages on the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships website.

Our KTP experience

We have a wealth of experience when it comes to supporting KTPs, having worked with numerous partners from the commercial, public and third sectors to tackle a wide range of engineering, statistical, educational and environmental challenges.

Some of our projects include:

Researchers in the Sustainable Electronic Technologies Group working with industrial partner PragmatIC
Working with industrial partner Symetrica on gamma-ray imaging
Partnering with GlaxoSmithKline to drive the development of new oral healthcare products for sensitive teeth
Applying machine learning techniques to a fuel-saving lubrication system in a partnership with Silverstream Technologies
Accelerating the next generation of wireless communication with Accelercomm

How is the partnership funded?

Knowledge Transfer Partnership with BV Dairy

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme is operated by Innovate UK. Businesses are required to make a financial contribution over the duration of a project, which typically last between 18 months and three years. Contributions required are as follows:

SMEs are required to contribute 33 per cent of the total project cost
Large companies are required to contribute 50 per cent of the total project cost
Contributions are spread at regular intervals throughout the project, so do not require a pre-project payment and can be budgeted for accordingly.

Is your organisation eligible?

A wide range of organisations can apply for a KTP, including UK businesses of any size, charities, higher or further education organisations and research and technology organisations. Find out more about eligibility for KTP on the Innovate UK website.

Management Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

We can also offer a partnership opportunity through a new and exciting Management KTP (mKTP) programme.
This gives businesses looking to undertake transformational change, or strategically increase productivity, the opportunity to partner with our Southampton Business School. This offers businesses access to up-to-date innovation management, marketing, strategic and process management expertise.
The mKTP operates in the same way as a traditional KTP and offers the same financial contributions.
For more information on mKTPs visit the mKTP website or contact Business@soton.ac.uk.