Competence Dalarna will lead to a long-term improvement of SMEs' innovation capacity, competitiveness and productivity through a strategic knowledge exchange and skills supply at an academic level. The aim of the project is to increase the competitiveness of SMEs in collaboration between academia and other actors in the region's innovation system. The core is eight company-based development projects that are strategically important for the companies but lack competence. This may involve, for example, market, product or process development. The companies must be active in the region's designated areas of strength. Companies have nine months of access to a newly graduated KTP graduate who gets a project employment at the university but placement at the company. Companies pay half their wages. KTP stands for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. A qualified academic coach from the university and lab resources are connected to the project. For business development, a qualified business coach is involved.