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. Through these collaborative partnerships, UK businesses and other organisations can benefit from a wide range of expertise available in the UK knowledge based - public and private sector research institutes and higher education institutions.
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 (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.
The Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme is financially supported by sponsors, the largest of which is the Department of Trade and Industry. 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, Momenta. In addition to the grant, the participating business/organisational partner also contributes to each project. The ESRC contribution to the scheme in 2006/07 was £1,200,000.
For further details of this scheme please contact:
Momenta
Didcot
OXON
OX11 0QJ
Telephone: 0845 330 3614
Web: http://www.ktponline.org.uk/
For more information about the ESRC Knowledge Transfer Partnerships please contact Laura Ringham (laura.ringham@esrc.ac.uk) within the ESRC Knowledge Transfer Team.