Working on a KTP gives our academics the opportunity to develop business-relevant teaching and research, apply knowledge and expertise to important organisational problems, and identify new research themes and undergraduate/postgraduate projects. Widely seen as the 'gold standard' in knowledge exchange, work from a KTP project can also be used as evidence in the increasing demand for economic impact of research investment.

Why work on a KTP project?

• Lead rewarding collaborations with innovative businesses
• Develop cutting-edge, business-relevant teaching and research materials
• Apply knowledge and expertise to important business problems in a live context
• Gain a relevant and improved understanding of business operations
• Identify new research themes as well as undergraduate/postgraduate projects
• Produce evidence for economic impact of research investment
• Generate real-world case studies
• Publish high-quality research papers, journal articles and conference presentations
• Over 90% proposal success rate

Research and teaching 

Academic partners who take part in KTP produce on average more than three new research projects and two research papers for each project. The papers and publications developed through KTP, as well as the research income, can contribute to the REF rating of a department.

KTP can also assist with teaching. You’ll be working with a highly qualified researcher (Associate), often post-doctoral, so the setup is not dissimilar to that of a research project. Due to the close working partnership between the Academic, the Associate and the Company, there’s excellent potential for collaborative work outside the core project, creating opportunities for student projects, work-based activities and the integration of current business issues into teaching materials. Moreover, Associates often get involved in research groups, leading to the adoption of new ideas. And there’s plenty of opportunity for inter-disciplinary collaboration.

Academic commitment 

You are expected to commit half a day per week to a KTP project – mainly at the premises of the business partner. Projects are fully funded and can be based in a variety of areas.

Outreach and business engagement 

You’ll apply research to industry, often informing the direction of ongoing and future research through high-level strategic interaction with the business community. One of the key criteria for judging KTP is whether the project is stimulating and challenging, and many projects involve companies that are incredibly sophisticated in their understanding of technology – meaning the knowledge transfer is very much two-way.

All businesses must be financially viable and committed to strategic progression, as a KTP is expected to deliver a step-change in the organisation’s capability and performance.

Support and management

In the early stages of developing a KTP application, our Research and Knowledge Exchange team will support you through the application process –from initial company contact, throughout the application process and, once successful, in delivering the project.

In addition, a dedicated, highly experienced KTP Adviser will work with the project team, facilitating the development of new partnerships and guiding the partners through the approval process. Once a KTP is approved, the KTP Adviser will continue to monitor and support progress throughout the project.