Research Innovation Services
Edited by Huma Mumtaz, April 2013
Summary of Research Councils UK Funding Criteria for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
The Research Councils’ priority with regard to Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) is to fund projects which demonstrate
sufficient potential to generate economic growth and/or societal wellbeing within the UK by creating an impact from
research. RCUK considers that KTPs are an effective route to impact and provide significant career benefits for post-doctoral
as well as post-graduate level Associates.
AHRC Criteria:
The AHRC will support KTP projects in which knowledge, skills and/or technologies arising from excellent arts and humanities
research are exchanged with businesses and organisations in the “creative economy”.
AHRC interprets the Creative Economy as being a creative landscape of activities and actors working across four key areas:
Cultural promotion
& preservation
Creative
activities
Creative
communications
Creative interfaces
Museums, galleries,
libraries & archives
Design
Film, television, radio, ‘new
media’ & other
broadcasting
Creative interactions with business
Heritage services
Music
Publishing & printed media
Creative R&D with science & technology
Conservation
Performing arts
Advertising, branding &
‘experience economy’
Cultural production alongside new technologies
Arts & antiques
markets
Visual, literary &
graphic art
Internet, social networking
& other new media
Ethical interactions with technology
Archaeological work
Video &
computer games
Regulation
Exhibitions & Festivals
Craft (inc.
Jewellery &
Ceramics)
Intellectual property
Fashion &
Textiles
Architecture
Biotechnical and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC):
Will support partnerships that address company needs and fall within at least one of BBSRC priority areas:
 Food security
 Bioenergy and industrial biotechnology
 Basic bioscience underpinning health
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Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC):

Support KTP projects that emerge from an EPSRC funded portfolio.
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC):
Must demonstrate how the project aligns with one or more of three strategic priorities:
 Economic Performance and Sustainable Growth
 Influencing behaviour and Informing Interventions
 A Vibrant and Fair Society
Encourages applications involving business organisations in Retail, Financial Services and the Green Economy.
Medical Research Council (MRC):
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Build on transfer scarce
Advanced research skills in bioinformatics
Health informatics
Mathematics and Statistics
Computation in vivo sciences
Projects aligned to the MRC Strategic plan
Universities need to demonstrate a track record of support from the MRC onto which the proposed KTP can draw
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

All sectors of industry, business and commerce where transferring knowledge of the environment and developing
sustainable solutions to environmental problems contributes to improving economic competitiveness or
effectiveness of public services and policy.
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

Projects that aim to transfer technology directly from STFC supported research groups in Higher Education
Institutions or STFC’s Laboratories where the academic and technology expertise have been derived from
developments in particle physics, astronomy or space science.
Other Funding Bodies:
Defra Criteria:

Defra will support KTP projects in which technology is transferred to companies throughout the whole food chain,
i.e. from the farm right through to the consumer. This includes suppliers of raw materials, processors,
manufacturers and retailers in the food and agricultural sectors.

Preference given to proposals which clearly address the major Defra priorities of ensuring a profitable and
competitive food industry, whilst minimising the environmental impact of the whole food chain.

Projects that improve the environmental sustainability of the food chain, e.g. through reduced waste generation and
more efficient use of resources (energy, water and raw materials). Projects that involve the application of food and
engineering science aimed at improving food quality and safety, manufacturing processes and the development of
new products can still be supported as long as there is a clear justification.
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Welsh Government Criteria:

9 keys sectors will attract priority funding: Energy and Environment; Advanced Materials and
Manufacturing; Creative Industries; Financial and Professional Services; Life Sciences; ICT; Food and
Farming; Construction; and Tourism.
Scottish Funding Council Criteria:

The Scottish Funding Council wishes to support a portfolio of demand led knowledge transfer projects
that will contribute to delivering sustainable economic growth and/or societal impact to Scotland and
that are aligned with the Scottish Government's Economic Strategy:
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Supportive Business Environment
Transition to a Low Carbon Economy
Learning, Skills and Well-being
Infrastructure Development and Place
Effective Government
Equity
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