What is knowledge transfer?

Knowledge transfer means sharing research, ideas, and skills from universities or research centres with businesses, governments, and society. The goal is to make sure useful knowledge doesn’t stay only in academic papers but is applied in the real world — for example, to improve products, services, or public policies. It’s sometimes called knowledge exchange or research impact.

Why is knowledge transfer important?

Knowledge transfer helps transform research results and academic innovation into practical outcomes that benefit businesses, public services, and communities. It strengthens collaboration between universities and industry, drives competitiveness, informs policy, and ensures that public investment in research has a measurable impact beyond the lab.

Who is involved in knowledge transfer?

Knowledge transfer involves researchers, higher education institutions, knowledge transfer offices, businesses, government bodies, and sometimes citizens. These stakeholders work together to turn academic knowledge into innovation, whether through partnerships, consultancy, or commercialisation. Knowledge transfer professionals often support this process by managing relationships and facilitating collaboration.

What are examples of knowledge transfer?

Examples of knowledge transfer include licensing inventions, launching spin-offs and start-ups, joint research projects with industry, consultancy services, and student placements. It also covers non-commercial routes such as public engagement, policy input, and training programmes. All these activities ensure that research contributes to real-world innovation and development

How does knowledge transfer benefit researchers?

Knowledge transfer enables researchers to see their work used in practice, increasing its visibility and societal relevance. It can lead to new partnerships, additional funding, and professional opportunities. Engaging in knowledge transfer helps researchers broaden their impact, influence policy, and collaborate with non-academic partners to address global challenges.

Is knowledge transfer only about commercialisation?

No. While commercialisation through licensing and spin-offs is a part of it, knowledge transfer also includes non-commercial pathways like open access, community outreach, training, and knowledge sharing with public sector partners. The goal is to maximise the societal and economic impact of research in multiple ways.

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ASTP equips knowledge transfer professionals with training that contributes toward RTTP accreditation, essential tools, and a powerful network to transform research into innovations that serve communities, drive industry, and shape policy. Make a bigger impact with your work.

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Latest News

3 December 2025

Introducing the New ASTP Impact Awards

We are proud to announce the launch of the second edition of the ASTP Impact Awards, designed to celebrate and…

17 November 2025

Which skills matter most for Knowledge…

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11 November 2025

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7 November 2025

Contribute to the future European Innovation…

The European Commission has launched a targeted consultation to collect insights from specific stakeholder groups,…

3 November 2025

NAAC Working Group on Metrics releases…

Knowledge and Technology Transfer Metrics Report (2025) calls for harmonised definitions and indicators to capture…

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A new study from the European Patent Office (EPO) Observatory shows that patent applications from Europe’s public…

10 October 2025

RTTP: Apply by 5 November 2025 — Get…

You’ve supported researchers, negotiated complex deals, guided spin-outs, and built bridges between academia and…

1 October 2025

ASTP-TII Scholarship | 3rd Edition

The third edition of the TII Scholarship, administered by ASTP, offers young knowledge transfer professionals under…

26 September 2025

Beyond Training: Building the ASTP Community

ASTP Special Interest Groups (SIGs) go beyond training to create lasting communities of practice. Discover their…

24 September 2025

Voices of Tomorrow: How the TII Scholarship…

The TII Scholarship, administered by ASTP, empowers young knowledge transfer professionals to grow their expertise…

23 September 2025

Webinar Series: From Research to Development…

Europe produces outstanding fundamental research but struggles to translate it into impact. Many patented inventions…

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10 December 2025

Advanced Digital Innovation: Details of Open-Source Software – Protection, Management, and…

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Tea with ASTP: NAAC KTT Metric Report

20 January 2026

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Legal SIG meeting #9

22 January 2026

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Peter Nussbaumer and Gernot Faustmann presented the KHAN/LDC initiative—a collaborative drug discovery platform supporting European academics. Without requiring spin-out formation, it helps mature…

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Special Interest Groups

AI4KT

The AI4KT SIG is a dynamic, action-oriented community of Knowledge Transfer professionals committed to leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance and future-proof KT processes. This…

Connect and Communicate with Impact (CCI)

The Connect & Communicate with Impact SIG brings together KT professionals to enhance communication excellence in knowledge transfer.

Spin-off

The Spin-off SIG supports the creation and growth of spin-offs from universities and research centres.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

The EDI SIG fosters equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in knowledge transfer practices.

Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts for People and Economy (SHAPE)

The SHAPE SIG advances knowledge transfer in the social sciences, humanities, and arts with monthly webinars on the first Wednesday of every month.

New Professionals (NP)

The New Professionals SIG supports individuals transitioning into the knowledge transfer field.

Legal

The Legal SIG addresses legal challenges in knowledge transfer through monthly discussions.

BioMedical

The BioMedical SIG enhances the translation of human life sciences research into healthcare solutions with regular webinar series and an annual workshop.

Agrifood

The Agrifood SIG supports knowledge transfer professionals in overcoming challenges associated with commercialising research-based innovation in the global food supply chain.

Digital Innovations (DI)

The Digital Innovations SIG addresses the impact of digital innovations on knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship with bi-monthly meetings and webinars.

Directors' Forum

The Directors’ Forum SIG facilitates experience exchange on KTO management and strategic growth.

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