Research, Knowledge Exchange and Innovation

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) is a UK Government funded knowledge transfer mechanism designed to increase the competitiveness of the UK's industrial base. The North of Scotland KTP Centre - of which Abertay University is a member - supports projects with partners across Grampian, the Highlands and Islands, and the rest of the UK.

KTPs are Europe's premier knowledge transfer programmes:

• Total budget of £33m.

• Eligible to large companies and SMEs.

• Up to 67% grant support available.

• Projects typically between 12 and 36 months.

• Can cover any research area/sector, as long as the project objectives are essential to the partner company's growth.

The North of Scotland KTP Centre is tasked with establishing collaborative projects between academia and industry in order to support the development of new products, processes and markets.

Please contact reis@abertay.ac.uk for more information on working with universities on KTPs.

Abertay is particularly interested in working with companies on KTPs:

• Using applied games to improve business performance;

• Using mental and physical health interventions in the workplace;

• Working with companies on projects relating to movement and processing of information for business purposes;

• Working with the food and drink sectors and with companies and teams in the sports industry.

Horizon Europe is an EU research and innovation programme. It has a budget of €95.5 billion and runs until 2027.

If you’re a UK-based researcher or innovator, you can apply to most Horizon Europe funding opportunities on the same terms as EU-based applicants.

Funding available

In summary, Horizon Europe funding is available for:

• Excellent research in any field

• Researcher mobility

• Research infrastructure

• Global challenges and industrial competitiveness:

• Health

• Culture, creativity and inclusive society

• Civil security for society

• Digital, industry and space

• Climate, energy and mobility

• Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment

• Innovation

• The development of the European research and innovation systems.

If you'd like more information about the University as a potential project partner, please contact reis@abertay.ac.uk

There are a number of funding routes for industry-academia partnerships available from UK Research and Innovation’s research councils. Each research council offers distinct opportunities for companies and third sector organisations to work with University researchers. These range from PhD studentships to funded research.

Further information on collaboration and knowledge exchange schemes supported by research councils can be found in the links below:

• UKRI funding opportunities

• Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

• Medical Research Council (MRC)

• Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

• Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

If you have any enquiries about working with Abertay on Research Council funded projects, please contact reis@abertay.ac.uk.

Innovation Vouchers support collaboration between business and universities. These are listed below. If you would like to find out more about these schemes, or about services, facilities and expertise at Abertay University, please email reis@abertay.ac.uk.

• Scottish Funding Council Innovation Vouchers: Scottish universities can offer Scottish-based SMEs up to £5,000 towards university project costs in a collaborative project. Your company must match the voucher contribution in cash, in-kind, or a mix of the two. The vouchers are available to all market sectors, but are for new partnerships only.

• Interface Food and Drink: This network is a partnership of 17 Scottish universities and funded by the Scottish Funding Council, trade associations and Scotland Food and Drink. Additional contributions come from companies and universities. The network has voucher funding to deliver a range of knowledge exchange projects in areas including food science, supply chain development, waste management, packaging design and marketing for the benefit of industry. For more information on working with Abertay through Food and Drink Innovation Vouchers, please contact foodinnovation@abertay.ac.uk

Innovate UK provides funding for business innovation. It connects business, researchers and policy makers to drive new technological advances. Innovate UK's collaborative R&D scheme co-funds partnerships between businesses and academia. Open competitions can be assessed.

The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) provides a range of support for businesses working on plant-based and waste resources to produce or process materials, chemicals and energy, offering green and sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels in everything from energy, to medicines and food packaging. This support includes up to £20k to fund feasibility studies and funding for PhD studentships supported by an industrial partner.

If you have any enquiries about working with Abertay on IBioIC funded projects, please contact reis@abertay.ac.uk.

Many businesses support postgraduate students - including PhD students - through their studies, and there are a number of schemes to support businesses in this activity. To find out more about the benefits of working with the University through student sponsorship, visit the Graduate School.