Nominations have been flooding in for the coveted KTP Best of the Best Awards – with a new award for Societal Impact, supported by UKRI.

Re-introduced last year to a very warm welcome, the KTP Best of the Best Awards are now a much-anticipated fixture in the KTP calendar. Acknowledging the exceptional achievements of the people, partnerships and innovations involved in these unique collaborations, the Awards provide a special focal point to reflect on the enduring value of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. 

This year sees two new additions to the line up: the first is the introduction of a brand new award, The Societal Impact Award, designed to reflect and honour the broader impacts of KTP (social and environmental).

Commenting on this year’s Awards, KTP Programme Manager at Innovate UK, Richard Lamb, said “It’s great to see the KTP Best of the Best Awards become an annual highlight in the KTP calendar, celebrating the highest achievements of all those involved in KTP. Good to see them evolve too, with the introduction this year of a new award for Societal Impact. The Award is supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) which brings together the seven research councils, Innovate UK and Research England.  With UKRI’s support for the new Societal Impact Award we aim to recognise and highlight the wide range of positive benefits that are delivered by KTP projects”.  

Also adding to the Awards line up is Praxis Auril – a world leading professional association for Knowledge Exchange practitioners – who are supporting the award for the Most Effective Initiative from a KB Team, inspired by David Woollard. Always hotly contested, this award for KB teams aims to honour the wide range of initiatives that transform the way in which KTP is promoted, managed and delivered.

Gerry Black, Senior Knowledge Transfer Adviser at the KTN welcomed Praxis Auril’s support saying “’The KTP Awards celebrate the Best of the Best in Knowledge Exchange, showcasing outstanding innovation driven by business-academic collaboration.  We are very pleased to have PraxisAuril on board to support the ‘Most effective initiative from a KTP Office’ Award. Our aligned goals around helping UK organisations of all sizes and sectors to realise innovation through partnership makes them a perfect collaborator. This Award recognises and celebrates the vital and challenging work delivered by KE practitioners, a community at the heart of KTP, and so important to its success.’ 

And Alasdair Cameron, Director of Strategic Engagement at PraxisAuril added, “Supporting the ‘Most Effective Initiative from a KTP Office’ award is not only about helping to find the most impactful and innovative approaches. It is also about supporting best practice and shining a light on excellence within the KE practitioner community, wherever it might be. Alongside our own KE Awards, PraxisAuril is committed to celebrating the work of KE practitioners who work tirelessly to facilitate and support the impact agenda.” You can find out more about Praxis Auril and its support of the KTP Awards here.

The full list of KTP Best of the Best Awards 2020 is as follows:

• Best Knowledge Transfer Partnership Award
• Engineering Excellence Award
• Business Impact Award
• Future Innovator
• Most Effective Initiative from a KB Team, supported by Praxis Auril and inspired by David Woollard
• Societal Impact Award, supported by UKRI

Nominations are now closed.  A shortlist will be announced in April, with the winners revealed at a special ceremony on June 4th at The Royal Society, London.