Falkirk FC has secured more than £200,000 in funding to deliver the UK's first ever Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with a professional football club, working alongside Heriot-Watt University. The 25-month project, funded by UKRI through Innovate UK, will bring Heriot-Watt researchers directly into the day-to-day operations of the fan-owned club to strengthen its long-term financial sustainability and ownership structure. By embedding their extensive academic knowledge inside the club, they are helping to build sustainable systems that support competitive performance, financial resilience, and strong community values. The project is backed by more than £204,000 in funding, with Innovate UK contributing around £137,000 and Falkirk FC providing the remaining £67,000 as the industry partner, over the 25-month period. The project will be led by academics from Heriot-Watt's Edinburgh Business School and School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure, and Society. Professor Chris Easton, Head of Sport and Exercise Science, said: 'Clubs outside the very top tier often face unpredictable income linked to results on the pitch, and while Falkirk's supporter-owned model protects its values and community roots, future growth depends on finding new ways to engage fans locally, nationally, and internationally.' The KTP will see a dedicated associate recruited by Heriot-Watt University and embedded full-time at Falkirk FC to work across the club's commercial and supporter engagement activity. Supported by Heriot-Watt academics, the associate will help embed new capability in data analysis, digital engagement, and supporter research, ensuring the expertise developed through the partnership delivers lasting impact. Jamie Swinney, CEO at Falkirk FC said: 'This partnership with Heriot-Watt University gives us access to expertise we simply could not develop on our own. This is the first example of a KTP within a professional football club, so it represents a unique opportunity to grow and develop the club on the back of a period of significant success.' The associate will be supported by a team of industry-leading academics from Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh Business School and School of Social Sciences, providing expert guidance throughout the project.