BU Research Blog

Now is the time to find out if your area of research interest can be applied in the work-place with the assistance of a government grant.

The Technology Strategy Board has just released figures from their recent Knowledge Transfer Partnership approvals meeting. In May 2012, 42 classic KTP proposals were submitted with 34 being supported. That is an 81% success rate. Only 12 Shorter KTPs were submitted, with 10 of these being supported. This gives an excellent 83% success rate. They are looking for over 100 per approval meeting. Consequently, the Technology Strategy Board is very keen to see more quality applications.

So, if you are thinking of engaging with the technology exchange process, now would be a good time to make the most of your industry contacts. The TSB offers support throughout the process via their KTP Advisors. You do not always need to submit a full proposal at the outset but can use an Expression of Interest application to ‘test the water’.

For those of you not familiar with KTPs, Classic KTPs are normally between 12 and 36 months and are broadly strategic in their outcomes. Shorter KTPs are between 26 to 51 weeks and have more tactical outcomes. Both employ a recent graduate as the project associate, supported by the company and academic supervisors, to complete a specific company-based project. For more detailed information on this successful and long-running funding scheme, please go to the KTP website or just search for ‘KTP’.  There are resources specific to the needs of the academic, the company and the associate. Check out  _connect and join one of the Knowledge Transfer Networks.

There is also help within BU. Peter Delgado (BU’s Commercialisation and KTP Officer) should be your first port of call (pdelgado@bournemouth.ac.uk or 01202 961215). In addition, if you are visiting a company and think that a KTP might be just what they need, KTP marketing materials are available from Emily Cieciura (ecieciura@bournemouth.ac.uk or 01202 968241).