A Knowledge Transfer Network is a single over-arching national network in a specific field of technology or business application which brings together people from businesses, universities, research, finance and technology organisations to stimulate innovation through knowledge transfer.
Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs) have been set up to drive the flow of knowledge within, in and out of specific communities.
KTNs have been established and are funded by government, industry and academia. They bring together diverse organisations and provide activities and initiatives that promote the exchange of knowledge and the stimulation of innovation in these communities. There are currently 24 KTNs.
Objective
The objective of a Knowledge Transfer Network is to improve the UK's innovation performance by increasing the breadth and depth or the knowledge transfer of technology into UK-based businesses and by accelerating the rate at which this process occurs. The Network must, throughout its lifetime, actively contribute and remain aligned to goals of the Technology Strategy Board.
Within the overall objective of accelerating the rate of technology transfer into UK business, the specific aims of a Knowledge Transfer Network include the following:
- To deliver improved industrial performance through innovation and new collaborations by driving the flow of people, knowledge and experience between business and the science-base, between businesses and across sectors;
- To drive knowledge transfer between the supply and demand sides of technology-enabled markets through a high quality, easy to use service;
- To facilitate innovation and knowledge transfer by providing UK businesses with the opportunity to meet and network with individuals and organisations, in the UK and internationally;
- To provide a forum for a coherent business voice to inform government of its technology needs and about issues, such as regulation, which are enhancing or inhibiting innovation in the UK.
Why join a KTN?
KTNs provide many benefits for members including:
Networking - frequent opportunities to network with other businesses and academics through targeted events, meetings and Special Interest Groups organised by the KTN.
Information and news - free access to on-line services such as reports, newsletters, webinars/e-training, events diaries, e-conferencing and collaboration tools and general sector/application specific information.
Funding opportunities -advice on Technology Strategy Board Collaborative R& D calls, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and other sources of funding for innovation such as Framework Programme 7, Eureka, Venture Capital.
Policy and regulation - a communications route between their community, Government and EU, giving members the opportunity to influence policies and regulation in the UK and abroad.
Our strategy - KTNs are playing an increasingly important role in the development of the Technology Strategy Board's future direction.
Optimising the KTN 'Family'
During 2008 a review of the Knowledge Transfer Networks was carried out to assess their current effectiveness and scope. The comprehensive review, which obtained views from 2100 KTN users and R&D intensive businesses, strongly confirmed the value of the networks. 75% of business respondents rated KTN services as effective or highly effective. Over 50% have developed, or are developing, new R&D or commercial relationships with people met through a KTN and 25% have made changes to their innovation activities as a result of their engagement.
The most highly rated functions of KTNs, according to the survey, are monitoring and reporting on technologies, applications and markets; providing high quality networking opportunities; and identifying and prioritising key innovation related issues and challenges. The review also emphasised the strong benefits brought to the KTN programme through links with a wide range of partners. KTNs engage with trade associations, technology providers, research councils, Regional Development Agencies and the Devolved Administrations to deliver benefits to businesses of all sizes.
The review highlighted an opportunity to refocus the work of the Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs), optimising the coverage of business and technology sectors, creating a more targeted, comprehensive and accessible range of network resources to help accelerate innovation.
This process of optimising the range of KTNs is now under way, and will see the number of formal networks reduced to around 15 - yet all existing knowledge exchange communities will continue to be supported within the new structure. Plans are also advanced to establish new KTNs in some areas, for example financial services and energy generation and supply.
As the new KTN portfolio takes shape, further details will be published here shortly.
Go to the KTN home page
In England, KTNs are part of the Government's Solutions for Business portfolio, in the 'networking for innovation' category.
