Knowledge and Technology Transfer

Graphic representation of knowledge exchange via the internet

Generating new knowledge and turning it into new products and services is important to maintaining and enhancing Europe's competitiveness. It is fundamental that researchers and industry work closely together and maximise the social and economic benefits of new ideas.

Transforming research results into new commercial products is a complex process, involving a broad range of stakeholders. It is not enough to simply increase public investment in research; it is important to create a framework to facilitate the process of knowledge transfer by removing the barriers which hinder collaboration between research and industry in order for Europe to operate as a single market for knowledge.

In its broad-based innovation strategy pdf [80 KB] , the Commission has identified the importance of improving the transfer of knowledge between public research institutions and third parties, including industry and civil society organisations, as one of ten key areas for action.