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Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Background and Aims

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is one of the biggest of the schemes funded as part of the ESRC's commitment to Knowledge Transfer. The scheme's mission is to strengthen the competitiveness and wealth creation of the UK by enabling research organisations to apply their research knowledge to important business problems.

At the heart of each Knowledge Transfer Partnership is a relationship between a company/organisation and staff in a knowledge base institution applying their expertise to a project that is central to the development of their collaborative partner. The project is carried out by an associate (a recent graduate or postgraduate), who also benefits from an organised training programme. In the process, the knowledge base institution is able to enhance the business relevance of their work.

KTP Funding

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme is financially supported by sponsors, the largest of which is the Technology Strategy Board. In addition to the ESRC, other Research Councils are also involved as are the Welsh Assembly Government and the Scottish Executive. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are managed by a contracted company, AEA. In addition to the grant, the participating business/organisational partner also contributes to each project. The ESRC contribution to the scheme in 2008/09 was £1.23 million.

ESRC Funding Criteria

The ESRC limits its support to Partnerships involving HEI departments and will not fund projects involving Further Education Institutions.

ESRC Criteria for Support of Knowledge Transfer Partnership Projects (PDF)

Technologies, Disciplines and Subject Areas

ESRC encourages proposals for Partnerships from any discipline or subject area within the social sciences where these fit within its remit and the overall aims of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. All KTPs seeking ESRC sponsorship must demonstrate how the project aligns with one or more of the ESRC's strategic challenges:

Global Economic Performance, Policy and Management
Health and Wellbeing
Understanding Individual Behaviour
New Technology, Innovation and Skills
Environment, Energy and Resilience
Security, Conflict and Justice
Social Diversity and Population Dynamics

Industry and Business Sectors

The ESRC has a remit across all sectors of the economy and society and will support projects in the private, public and third sectors which involve the application and co-production of social science knowledge. The ESRC particularly encourage partnerships with businesses in the following sectors:

Financial Services
Retail and Sport
Leisure and Tourism

The ESRC will support KTPs with businesses outside of these sectors where the project aligns with one or more of the ESRC's strategic challenges.

Dissemination of Impacts and Outcomes

The ESRC will actively encourage Partnerships to engage with other stakeholders to disseminate results, impacts and outcomes widely.

Knowledge Transfer partnership awards

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership Awards take place annually, to celebrate the achievements of partnerships completed in the previous year. Each year, the ESRC sponsor an award for the Best Application of Management or Social Science. Details about previous ESRC award winners can be found here:

Contacts

Laura Ringham (email: laura.ringham@esrc.ac.uk - telephone 01793 413068)

Further details about KTPs including contact details for KTP Offices and KTP Advisers can be found on the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships website.

KTP case studies

The following case studies demonstrate the range of ESRC funded KTP projects and their wider impact.