Knowledge Transfer Partnership
One round of Knowledge Transfer Partnership, which has run 3 rounds in total and has 1 open now.
- Funding
- Contact funder
- Deadline
- Check with the funder
- Location
- Northern Ireland
- Applications
- Rolling applications
Overview
Invest NI and Innovate UK fund Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) for businesses in Northern Ireland. The funder gives no award range in pounds and no deadline. A KTP links a business, a graduate and a university or college for a project of about two years. Technical KTPs match a graduate from a field such as engineering, ICT or construction with a company running a project in that field. Management KTPs suit companies from any sector that want strategic organisational improvements, such as a new strategy or business model. Projects should cover areas like strategy and business modelling, process or operational improvements, leadership and decision-making, or skills development. Part of the funding comes from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Full eligibility criteria sit on the Innovate UK eligibility page. To start, call Invest NI's Business Support Team on 0800 181 4422 or fill in the enquiry form.
Requirements to check
Key requirements:
- Available to Northern Ireland businesses only
- Funding rate is 67% for SMEs and 50% for large companies
- Projects typically last about two years
- Partnership involves a business, a graduate and an academic institution
- Projects should be transformative and drive strategic change
- Full eligibility criteria are set by Innovate UK
- Businesses owned by Invest NI staff members are not eligible for Invest NI funding
Who it is for
- Businesses in Northern Ireland, in any sector
- SMEs, which receive 67% funding
- Large companies, which receive 50% funding
- Companies with a project linked to a graduate's discipline, such as engineering, ICT or construction (Technical KTP)
- Companies seeking strategic organisational improvements, such as revamping strategy or business model (Management KTP)
Who it is not for
- Businesses owned by Invest NI staff members, who are not eligible for Invest NI funding
- Anyone who does not meet the Innovate UK eligibility criteria
The scheme is available to all businesses in Northern Ireland. SMEs and large companies can both take part, at different funding rates. Management KTPs suit companies from all sectors seeking strategic organisational improvements. Technical KTPs suit companies with projects linked to a graduate's specialist discipline, such as engineering, ICT or construction. Innovate UK sets the full eligibility criteria. Businesses owned by Invest NI staff members are not eligible for Invest NI funding.
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
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Start freeWho is this for?
Northern Ireland businesses of any size that want to bring in graduate talent and university or college expertise to deliver a strategic innovation or organisational change project.
Regions
No published award history for Invest Northern Ireland. Some funders do not publish their grants data.
Full details from Invest Northern Ireland
Knowledge Transfer Partnership
How to apply
Start by contacting Invest NI's Business Support Team on 0800 181 4422, or complete the enquiry form on the Invest NI KTP page. The form asks for your name, email, telephone number, company name, postcode and details of your enquiry. Invest NI then helps match your business with a suitable graduate and academic discipline.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding can I get from the Invest NI Knowledge Transfer Partnership?
Funding is 67% for SMEs and 50% for large companies. The funder gives no fixed pound amount.
Who can apply for an Invest NI Knowledge Transfer Partnership?
The support is available to all Northern Ireland businesses, with full criteria on the Innovate UK eligibility page. Businesses owned by Invest NI staff members are not eligible for Invest NI funding.
How do I apply for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership in Northern Ireland?
Contact Invest NI's Business Support Team on 0800 181 4422 or complete the enquiry form. Invest NI then matches your business with a graduate and academic discipline.
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Create free accountLast updated: 9 November 2026