Businesses are currently facing tough challenges in this economic climate. While many have put R&D activities on hold, those investing in their future will emerge stronger than their competitors. But with a bewildering array of business support initiatives out there, how do you access the knowledge and funding you need?
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) offers a great solution to companies needing expertise as well as financial assistance in order to achieve their strategic goals. KTPs are part-funded by a Government grant of up to two-thirds of the project costs. They address strategic business needs and improve the competitiveness, productivity and performance of forward-thinking businesses. With a proven track record, KTPs have been helping businesses for over 35 years to increase their profitability through collaborative partnerships with Further and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
The knowledge sought is embedded into the business from the HEI through a project, or projects, undertaken by a recently qualified person (known as the Associate), recruited to specifically work on that project. The expertise is transferred through weekly visits by an academic with the knowledge that your business needs. KTPs can vary in length from 1 to 3 years (classic KTP for strategic projects) and from 10-40 weeks (shorter KTP for tactical projects), depending on the needs of the business and the desired outcomes.
The University of Nottingham has run just under 50 KTPs over the last 7 years and staff in our KTP Office have nearly 40 years’ combined experience of running KTPs. We have helped a wide variety of organisations achieve their strategic goals and are always keen to set up new projects and allow businesses to access the University’s wide range of leading-edge research.
If you have an idea for a project or would like to find out more about KTP, please contact Paul Yeomans on 0115 846 8479 or email: paul.yeomans@nottingham.ac.uk.
www.ktponline.org.uk