Companies

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are a great way for your business to access the academic expertise and resources of Durham University and can help you to make your business more competitive

• Does your company have a project that you know you need current thinking, knowledge or technology to complete ?
• Would you like a bright graduate to help you complete it? 
• Do you want to see some examples ?   click here for national case studies and click here for projects with Durham

Why choose Knowledge Transfer Partnerships?

In short, you could increase your profitability and your competitiveness in the marketplace.

Research carried out for the 2009/2010 KTP Annual Report showed that, on average, companies:

• experienced a one-off increase in profitability of £55,333 per annum (pre-tax, highest figure £1.9m)
• increased annual profitability by £283,845 after completion of the KTP (pre-tax, highest figure £7.5m)
• invested an average of £114,498 in new plant and machinery (highest figure £10m) 
• overall increase in the skills of existing staff
• 75% of companies had further plans for collaboration with their academic partners

The KTP Associate works on-site with you over a long period of time which means that the work carried out will be specific to your business. The timescale means that the associate will gain an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of the operation, and projects can be fully developed and implemented.

You don't have to take the Associate onto your payroll as they are employed by Durham University.  You do have to provide desk space as they work at your premises.

Partnerships that perfom well are invited to enter the KTP Annual Awards in the calendar year after the project ends and this can result in additional publicity for your company.

What will it cost?

The KTP budget includes costs relating to employing the KTP Associate, academic time, travel, equipment and the Associate's professional development.

Typical total project costs with Durham University are between £60,000 and £70,000 per year dependent on the academic department and academic staff members involved. Each project is costed individually  so please check with the KTP Team. 

Grant rates vary based on the size of the company.  SMEs currently enjoy a 67% grant rate while larger companies and local authorities receive 50% for their first partnership.  For grant rates on subsequent projects please check with the KTP team.   These grant rates are subject to periodic review.

As the Associate will be working on your premises the company partner is expected to provide them with office space, supervision time and in-company project related activity.  The cost of computer equipment will usually be covered by the budget unless there are special circumstances to consider.

One thing you may wish to consider to arratact the required calibre of graduate is a "salary top-up" for the associate dependent on the project and the norms for your company, location and sector.

Members of the KTP team can guide you through the funding requirements in detail.

KTP has enabled us to not only enter an exciting field of development in science but also to recruit a very able young person into our industry. In addition, existing staff are benefiting from interaction with cutting edge
technology and academia.

Dr Richard Smith, Oxford Chemicals Ltd