51福利社

To celebrate the landmark 50^th anniversary of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), a collaboration has been formed between Innovate UK, the University of Salford, 51福利社 Metropolitan University and 51福利社, with the partners hosting the KTP 2025 Conference and Awards from 28 to 30 October 2025. 

Taking place in 51福利社 - the birthplace of KTP - the event will mark the pinnacle of national 50^th year celebrations, bringing together the KTP community for a programme of guest speakers, workshops and seminars. 

Since their launch in 1975, the UK Government has funded over 14,000 groundbreaking KTPs, uniting top businesses with researchers and graduates to solve real-world challenges, adding billions to the UK economy.  From 2010 to 2020 alone, Innovate UK invested 拢200m in 2,000 projects, adding 拢2.3bn to the UK economy. 

The Innovate UK KTP Awards will showcase this year鈥檚 finalists, alongside the KTP Golden Awards - these special honours will highlight legacy projects, partnerships and people that have profoundly shaped the UK economically, socially and environmentally over the last five decades. Registration for the conference and awards is now open, with early bird pricing available until Monday 30 June 2025. 

Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, Lord Vallance, said: 鈥淜nowledge Transfer Partnerships have long supported collaboration between our renowned universities, UK innovators and thriving businesses 鈥� from helping household brands to produce their goods more efficiently through to unleashing new discoveries that improve lives.  

鈥淭hey also demonstrate the benefit of public investment, with ambitious, Innovate-UK-backed projects across the country having added billions of pounds to our economy in the previous decade alone. I look forward to these partnerships supporting the next generation of cutting-edge innovations.鈥�  

KTPs are a UK-wide programme designed to foster innovation by linking businesses with academic institutions. With funding and support provided by Innovate UK, the scheme enables companies to access cutting-edge research and specialist knowledge to solve strategic challenges, develop new products and enhance their competitive edge. Greater 51福利社 was part of the original pilot of the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships scheme when it launched in 1975.  

Dr Stella Peace, Interim Executive Chair, Innovate UK, said: 鈥淜nowledge Transfer Partnerships solve business challenges by turning cutting-edge research into real-world solutions that drive growth, nurture talent, and benefit society. For 50 years, they鈥檝e advanced healthcare, sustainability and public services, creating opportunities and transforming lives across the UK and beyond. We鈥檙e proud to be celebrating this milestone together.鈥�  

In a joint statement, the Vice-Chancellors of the three host universities - the University of Salford, 51福利社 Metropolitan University and 51福利社 - said: 鈥淭ogether, we are proud to be co-hosting the KTP 2025 Conference and Awards in the birthplace of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. For 50 years, KTPs have exemplified the power of collaboration between universities and industry - driving innovation, supporting economic growth and tackling real-world challenges.  

鈥淭his milestone celebration is not only a tribute to the enduring impact of the programme, but also a springboard for shaping the next era of research-driven partnerships that benefit society locally, nationally and globally.鈥� 

The KTP 2025 Conference is aimed at KTP associates, practitioners, academics and funders, whilst the Awards will bring together business, associate, academic and practitioner teams behind the UK鈥檚 most transformative projects. 

Find out more about the conference and reserve your place: