The aim of the KTP Science project is to strengthen regional research competence so that small and medium-sized companies can develop their operations with the help of research. The project is carried out in collaboration with Dalarna University and the University of Gävle. Goal The project’s goal is to develop a sustainable collaboration between higher education and industry to meet the needs of companies active in one of the region’s Smart Specialisation areas with the help of research. Sub-targets: ¿Via collaboration, with other regional actors, find strategically important areas and business partners where the development needs of the company (the industry) can only be solved through research-oriented activities. Conduct research-oriented KTP projects at 5-8 companies aiming to achieve a geographical distribution, an even distribution between the sexes, while taking into account the value of mixing with respect to ethnic and cultural background and age. ¿The 5-8 sub-projects will be distributed regionally/nationally and also apply for funding for continued regional implementation and national expansion. Conduct at least 5 seminars and workshops to spread the results to other companies to support entire industries as far as possible. Take part in or carry out at least 3 major activities, e.g. conferences and fairs, for the dissemination of ideas and results from KTP science. ¿Develop the conditions for good integration, gender equality and the environment Working methods and activities The core of KTP Science is a number of business-based research projects in the region’s areas of smart specialisation. The focus areas will be the areas where higher education institutions currently have high competence and expanded national and international network of contacts. Before a project is implemented, the company has undergone an in-depth analysis based on selection criteria such as the will for growth, economy and equality, diversity and the environment. For a period of 2 years, the companies will have access to a recently graduated graduate with a degree of at least master and preferably doctoral level that is employed by the project at the University but with a position at the company. The companies pay half the payroll. The KTP project leader/company connects a qualified supervisor/researcher from the university, a supervisor from the company and a qualified business coach. A central part of this project will be about creating knowledge development through research that leads to development at companies. The project will work to ensure that the projects involve more than one company via e.g. that several companies share a KTP project and focus on projects that affect the development of not only the company but also their customers and suppliers, i.e. throughout the value chain. Weight will be placed on dissemination of results and good examples, including within the horizontal criteria and by the KTP concept itself. Dissemination shall take place partly to other companies for implementation in their own operations, and to regional and national levels for future financing and expansion. The starting point for the KTP projects is the companies’ need for research efforts in the designated smart specialisation areas of the regions. The implementation is based on the active participation and financing of the projects by enterprises. The project will create knowledge development through research that leads to development at the company or several companies in groups, including customers and suppliers. An expected result at the end of the project period is that the region has strengthened its research and innovation capacity in the region’s smart specialisation areas. The project has created profits with research in the small and medium-sized companies and the strategic collaboration created with the research environments of higher education institutions. The project has contributed to an established collaboration model for higher education institutions and for regional growth work.