Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) Guidance: Societal Resilience Projects within the Defence and National Security Sector
Purpose of this Guidance
This document provides tailored guidance for universities, research organisations, and businesses seeking to develop Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) projects within the defence and national security sector, particularly those focused on societal resilience.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships focus on societal resilience, acknowledges both the threats to a stable and functioning society and the ability of that society to anticipate, withstand, adapt to, and recover from disruptions, including cyberattacks, infrastructure failure, climate-related events, and large-scale emergencies.
Societal resilience reflects a whole-of-society approach to national security, where civilian systems, institutions, and communities play a critical role in supporting national security and maintaining continuity under stress.
This includes:
- Protecting critical national infrastructure and services
- Ensuring continuity of economic and public systems
- Supporting effective emergency and crisis response
- Maintaining public trust, wellbeing, and social cohesion
More broadly Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) can support projects within this that are focused on protecting, defending and securing critical systems and services. KTP projects across this sector will therefore contribute not only to critical capability, but also to the broader resilience, stability, and prosperity of the UK.
This guidance reflects the current position of the KTP programme and may be revised as Innovate UK and UKRI policy, strategic priorities, and national needs evolve.
Examples of Potential Projects
Technical and Engineering-Focused
- AI-enabled early warning systems for cyber threats affecting critical national infrastructure
- Secure and resilient communications platforms for disaster recovery operations
- Energy-resilient systems for critical infrastructure and remote operations
- Advanced materials for blast-resistant and protective construction (non-offensive use)
- Systems for the monitoring and protection of critical national infrastructure
Data, Digital, and Systems Innovation
- Decision-support tools for multi-agency crisis response coordination
- Digital twins for resilience testing of infrastructure systems
- Supply chain risk modelling and resilience optimisation tools
Health, Human Performance, and Wellbeing
- Wearable technologies to monitor location, fatigue and wellbeing in high-risk environments
- Rehabilitation technologies and assistive systems for recovery and return to work
- Simulation-based training platforms for emergency responders and defence personnel (noting that this may be considered a saturated area).
Social, Behavioural, and Policy-Oriented
- Tools and frameworks to counter misinformation and strengthen information resilience
- Behavioural interventions to improve public response during emergencies
- Community resilience models for local authority emergency planning
- Governance and decision-making frameworks for crisis leadership
Cross-Cutting Dual-Use Applications
- Autonomous systems with applications in disaster response and logistics
- AI and analytics platforms supporting both defence and civilian resilience planning
- Climate adaptation solutions for infrastructure used in both civil and defence contexts. This could include food and water security as areas of critical national infrastructure.
Out-of-Scope Activities
The following activities are not eligible for support under this guidance:
- Development of weapons systems or munitions
- Targeting, strike, or offensive combat capabilities
- Technologies designed primarily to cause harm or destruction
Security, Ethics, and Participation
UKRI and its research councils support National security and defence research as part of the Industrial Strategy and the National Security Strategy. As part of UKRI, our approach is shaped by our principles in respect of responsible research and innovation, in trusted research, and the UK’s values and ethical standards.
KTP projects in this area are designed to be accessible to academic partners while maintaining appropriate safeguards.
·
Ethical research alignment:
Projects are explicitly focused on defensive, resilience, and public good
applications, aligning with widely accepted principles of responsible research
and innovation.
·
Publication and
dissemination:
Many projects, particularly those with dual-use outputs, allow for academic
dissemination, subject to appropriate review and safeguarding considerations. Publication is essential to obtain KTP
funding.
·
Institutional familiarity:
Knowledge bases routinely manage projects involving sensitive areas, and
existing institutional processes can support compliance without placing undue
burden on individual researchers.
·
Security vetting:
Not all projects require high levels of security clearance. Where vetting is
required, the level will be proportionate to the project.
Assurance Checks
- Innovate UK conducts assurance checks to ensure public funds are used appropriately and that projects support effective knowledge exchange.
- All applications undergo review, which may include background checks and assessment against Trusted Research and Innovation principles.
- The process may involve consultation with UKRI councils and relevant government departments.
- Innovate UK independently assesses any findings from these checks.
- Outcomes of the assurance process may affect both funding eligibility and the level of funding awarded.
