Powering Innovation through Collaboration

Powering Innovation through Collaboration

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme is a leading government knowledge transfer scheme to help businesses innovate and grow.  They do this by providing structure and generous funding to help businesses undertake open innovation and scale up through collaboration with world-leading experts from a knowledge base such as Ulster University.

For 45 years, Ulster University has established an excellent track record in helping Northern Ireland businesses grow and flourish through exciting KTP collaborations that have delivered strategic, transformational step changes in productivity, market share and operating process.

A Unique three-way Collaboration

For over 40 years, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) have been helping companies big and small innovate for growth.

They do this by connecting organisations that have an innovative idea with the expertise to help deliver it. Right now around 800 organisations, 100 university departments, and over 800 graduates are involved in KTPs – collaborative, three-way partnerships that create positive impact and drive innovation.

Each KTP is project managed by a KTP Associate – a talented graduate or postgraduate.

See current vacancies

The KTP programme is now complemented by the new Management KTP (mKTP), designed to introduce transformational change through expanded management capability.

Learn more about Management KTP
Helping Businesses to Grow

Helping Businesses to Grow

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) link forward thinking organisations with the UK's world class academic teams to deliver innovation projects led by inspired graduates

  • Developing innovative solutions to business challenges and supporting opportunities in the market.
  • Increased productivity and competitiveness for businesses.
  • Create new ideas to develop your business and enter new markets.
  • Access to highly qualified and motivated graduates.

Partnering with Ulster University

Over 80% KTPs receive outstanding-very good scores
40+ years track record in KTP
300+ graduates employed in KTP
Over 250 knowledge transfer partnerships with NI businesses

KTP Success Story: Semple McKillop