In November 2003, the DTI awarded £1m in funding to a consolidated bid submitted by Praxis (the UK Technology Transfer Training Programme), AURIL (the Association of University Research & Industry Links), and UNICO (the Universities Companies Association), to facilitate the provision of continuing professional development for knowledge transfer practitioners in the UK. 

Praxis is using its award to build on the success of its existing programme by expanding the schedule of courses on offer around the UK; to develop new programmes – led by a team of experienced volunteer practitioners; and to establish an administrative office, employing 3 staff.

AURIL plans to create a national system and professional body to support the induction, training, development, and accreditation of knowledge transfer professionals (KTP). This will support the establishment of a new national Knowledge Transfer Institute to oversee the development and management of KTP standards and qualifications across the UK, Europe and internationally.

The UNICO proposal provides: support for the central administration of the UNICO conferences to allow continued delivery of high level conference based training; and a range of training materials on knowledge transfer agreements for knowledge transfer practitioners.