Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) with Lancaster University

Coverage: Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Burnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Pennine Lancashire, Preston, Ribble Valley, Rossendale, South Ribble, West Lancashire, Wyre,

Finance Type: Business Expansion, Technology, Training and Development,

KTPs are a UK-wide programme to encourage business / knowledge base (University) collaborations, helping businesses and organisations to improve their competitiveness and / or productivity through the use of the knowledge, technology and skills that reside within academic institutions, and at the same time, increasing the business relevance of knowledge base research and teaching. KTPs are 12-36 months in duration.

KTPs are funded by Government organisations led by the Technology Strategy Board. KTPs form a 3-way partnership between a company (‘company partner’), an academic (‘knowledge base partner’), and a graduate (‘associate’). They enable collaborative activity with innovative businesses that require access to skills and expertise to help their companies to develop, often by improving their competitive position and benefit theUKeconomy.

Typically a problem of strategic importance is defined by a company and following discussions with an academic with relevant expertise a project is defined for delivery from the academic’s department via a graduate (associate). This associate is based full time in the company and receives supervision from both the academic and from a designated company supervisor.  The academic supervisor should spend 0.5 days a week exclusively on the project (or 1 day / two weeks or 2 days / month).

KTPs help businesses to:

•          access highly qualified people to spearhead new projects

•          access experts who can help take your business forward

•          develop innovative solutions to help your business grow

•          develop your company for today’s market

•          increase your competitive advantage

•          improve your performance / business operations

•          increase profitability

Key criteria: The Technology Strategy Board wishes to focus its funding primarily on supporting SMEs and third sector organisations across theUK, and particularly those which show high growth potential.  Participation in KTP by large companies (and organisations) will be conditional upon them demonstrating how they propose to draw in and facilitate the involvement of supply chain companies and SMEs.

Eligible expenditure: The application process is a two-part process. Firstly an outline proposal is written; this process is managed by Research and Enterprise Services with input required from both the academic and company. A Regional Adviser seeks approval to proceed and sponsorship from one of the main sponsors (TSB, EPSRC, ESRC, AHRC, etc). If approved a full proposal document can be submitted for approval at a national meeting, leading to an offer letter or requests for amendments / clarifications. It should be expected that from application to approval the process will take three months before recruitment of the associate can begin.

Application procedure: There is a standard amount of funding allocated to each KTP budget, which covers the associate(s) employment costs, academic and secretarial support, training, travel and some equipment and consumables.  The company contributes a percentage of the budget depending on its size (33% for SMEs (<250 Employees and <£25m TO PA) and 50% for larger organisations (>250 Employees or >£25m TO PA), with the balance coming from the Technology Strategy Board or Sponsors such as EPSRC, ESRC, AHRC, DEFRA etc.

Funding: The cost model below shows an example budget and annual costs for a KTP for both a Large Company and an SME, using a Senior Academic as the Academic Supervisor.

Type of Funding: Service

Project Timeframe - Expiry Date: n/a

Eligibility: All companies

Disclaimer: The information above was accurate at the time of publishing. This is a constantly evolving directory and we will amend the details as and when required. Regenerate Pennine Lancashire is not responsible for the accuracy of external information.

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