Are you interested in collaborating on an international scale? The UTS Global Partnerships Team are excited to announce the launch of the 2026 Key Technology Partnerships (KTP) Funding Programs, providing UTS staff with valuable opportunities to build international collaborations and strengthen global networks with our KTP partners.
Expand your global network with Key Technology Partnerships
Applications for the KTP Seed Funding Scheme and KTP Visiting Fellow Program are currently open and close on 15 April 2026.
KTP funding supports a wide range of activities, aiming for mutually beneficial outcomes in:
- Research & Research Training – e.g., joint publications, PhD student involvement, competitive grant applications, policy impact, research translation, and industry engagement.
- Teaching & Learning – e.g., joint program development, innovative teaching methodologies, attracting diverse student cohorts, and enhancing accessibility.
- Enterprise & Innovation – e.g., patents, commercial products, new ventures (startups, spin-offs, joint ventures), industry/community partnerships, and micro-credential opportunities.
There are two KTP programs:
- UTS Key Technology Partnerships Seed Funding Scheme: UTS offers up to A$10,000 to support collaborative projects between UTS staff and counterparts from Key Technology Partner institutions (excluding travel costs).
- UTS Key Technology Partnerships Visiting Fellow Program (inbound travel to UTS): UTS provides up to A$10,000 for UTS staff to invite counterparts from Key Technology Partner institutions to Sydney for two- to four-week visits to collaborate on projects of mutual interest. This program funds inbound travel to UTS.
UTS has seven Key Technology Partner universities through Greater China, India, Europe, and the Americas including:
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), India
- Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT), France
- Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (UC I Chile)
- Shanghai University (SHU), China
- Technical University of Berlin (TUB), Germany
- University of Arizona (UA), United States
- VinUniversity (VinUni), Vietnam
Joint activity proposals must involve collaboration with counterparts from these partner universities.
Please note that collaborative projects and visits with Shanghai University will be considered only if they align with one of the following priority areas:
- Creative Industries, as outlined in the UTS Creative Industries Strategy
- Environmental engineering/sustainability
- Health technologies
Dr. Long D. Nghiem, the Director of the Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater and a Professor in Environmental Engineering at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, said that his team’s participation in the KTP Visiting Fellow Program provided a major boost and significantly expanded an existing relationship between UTS and Shanghai University (SHU).
“The Fellowship Program enabled Associate Prof Xiaolei Zhang for the first time to engage in lab work and interact with UTS students,” Long said.
“The UTS/ SHU team was able to achieve a more integrated collaboration, publish two joint peer-viewed papers and explore a range of new opportunities for joint HDR student training and external research funding.”
I would highly recommend any researchers exploring emerging collaborations with Key Technology Partners consider taking advantage of these schemes.
In addition to receiving financial support to cover the travel expenses of the KTP Fellow, Long particularly valued the administrative support from both UTS and SHU.
“Their help was very useful for our team to explore opportunities for further collaboration,” he explained.
“As a result, our UTS-SHU team has transformed from being an ad hoc collaboration into a comprehensive partnership with strategic and long-term aspirations. I would highly recommend any researchers exploring emerging collaborations with Key Technology Partners consider taking advantage of these schemes.”
Reach out now to your counterparts at these institutions and start exploring potential collaborations.
How to apply
The Global Partnerships Team look forward to supporting your international collaborations. To apply please:
- Identify collaborators from one of the eligible institutions listed above, who are interested in submitting a joint proposal.
- Download the application form PDF to view a preview of the questions. Discuss and prepare the proposal with your collaborator. Please note: the application form has embedded logic, displaying questions relevant to the chosen program and partner.
- Submit the online application form by 15 April 2026 (11pm AEST).
- The Global Partnerships team will seek feedback and endorsement from the relevant internal stakeholders.
- Application outcomes will be announced via email by 5 June 2026.
Attend an information session
Interested in applying for one of the KTP funding programs?
Find out more about the KTP Funding Programs, eligibility, benefits, and application process by joining an online information session:
- UTS information session: Wednesday 1 April, 1pm – 2pm | Register here
- UTS-UC Chile information session: Friday 20 March, 8am – 9am | Register here
These sessions will cover all aspects of the KTP Funding Programs, including application guidelines, assessment criteria, and key benefits.
What’s next?
- Learn more about UTS Key Technology Partnerships.
- Visit the UTS Global Partnerships website.
- For any queries, contact the Global Partnerships Team via email at globalpartnerships@uts.edu.au.