Program Overview

Introduction to Smart and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Smart Partnerships (SPs) and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are part-funded government programmes aimed at boosting organisational performance and productivity through collaboration with UK Universities. These partnerships are 3-way collaborations between businesses and organisations, an associate (graduate or postgraduate person), and a University, working on a specific project within the organisation.

Program Overview

SPs and KTPs provide access to academic expertise and knowledge to help transform organisations or businesses, solve problems, improve competitiveness, productivity, and performance, and ultimately transform the organisation. The programmes are designed to support organisations in filling missing capabilities to boost performance and productivity.

Benefits of Smart and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

• Access to academic expertise and knowledge
  • Transform organisations or businesses
  • Solve problems
  • Improve competitiveness, productivity, and performance
• Collaboration with UK Universities
• Part-funded government programmes

Program Structure

The partnerships involve a collaboration between:

• Businesses and organisations
• An associate (graduate or postgraduate person)
• A University Working on a specific project within the organisation to achieve the desired outcomes.

Research and Innovation Funding

There is increased funding available to support Smart Partnerships and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, including funding for Research, Development, and Innovation. This funding is available in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing opportunities for organisations to access support and collaborate with academics and businesses that have capitalised on these opportunities.