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Knowledge Transfer Networks

Introduction

They provide both a vehicle for the community to develop its ideas and interactions and a communications route between that community and the Government. Their activities are increasingly playing an important role in the development of the Government's Technology Strategy and as focal points for the Technology Programme.

They were born out of Innovation and Growth Teams, developed out of Faradays, and combinations of Faradays and as a result of the Technology Programme April 2004 Competition. These different beginnings have given rise to a range of foci and scope, and allowed the evaluation of several different models of activity.

They are an evolving part of the overall Government Strategy and the Technology Strategy Board has put in place a review of their goals and activities which reflect their growing importance and to ensure that we move towards a coherent and integrated use of KTNs to feed and drive the Collaborative Research & Development programme and other innovation interventions.

Objective

The objective of a Knowledge Transfer Network is to improve the UK’s innovation performance by increasing the breadth and depth of 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 the development of a national Technology Strategy.

Knowledge Transfer Network Communities

Knowledge Transfer Networks have already been established in the following areas:

• Aerospace and Defence
• bioProcessUK
• Bioscience for Business
• Chemistry Innovation
• Cyber Security
• Electronics
• Integrated Products Manufacturing
• Food Processing
• Grid Computing Now!
• Health Technologies
• Industrial Mathematics
• Intelligent Transport Systems
• Integrated Pollution Management
• Low Carbon & Fuel Cell Technologies
• Location and Timing
• Materials
• Micro and Nanotechnology
• Modern Built Environment
• Photonics
• Resource Efficiency
• Sensors
• UK Displays and Lighting 

Background

The DTI’s Innovation Review identified access to networks and sources of new knowledge as two of the most important determinants of business innovation performance.  Because innovation is a complex process, success relies on the coming together of a variety of players, such as suppliers, customers, other firms, universities, research and technology organisations and other intermediaries.  Together, these players form part of the knowledge transfer system.

Many businesses may not make the most of their potential for innovation and often this can be attributed to a lack of awareness and access to the latest technological knowledge and breakthroughs.

Networking is a well-tested method of finding out what is happening in an organisation, sector, country or the even the world.  Knowledge Transfer Networks provide businesses and members of business organisations (e.g. Trade Associations), Research and Technological organisations with the opportunity to network and share mutually beneficial information.

Knowledge Transfer Networks will play a vital role in making the necessary connections between these various players, helping industry to access knowledge and information central to innovation growth.

KTN Goals

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.

A Knowledge Transfer Network aims to encourage the active participation of all networks currently operating in its field and to establish connections with networks in other fields which have common interests.  The Knowledge Transfer Networks are required to develop strong links with each other to maximise the benefits to the UK from effective knowledge transfer across technology boundaries.

To enable the effective “Networking of Networks”, all Networks are required to use the web-based platform provided by DTI to facilitate effective networking between each of the individual Knowledge Transfer Networks.

Knowledge Transfer Networks are part of the DTI’s Technology Programme whose purpose is to provide funding to facilitate further investment in science, engineering and technology with the active participation of business and industry.  The Technology Programme is made up of 2 products;

• Collaborative Research & Development and

• Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs)

Information about Collaborative R&D can be accessed  here.