Knowledge transfer and cooperation between public research and industry

R&D collaboration and knowledge transfer between Public Research Organisations (PROs) and industry represent one of the weaknesses of the European research and innovation system.

While a number of Member States have implemented valuable initiatives in those fields, most of them have limited these initiatives to a national scope. As a result, the current rules and practices in Europe are fragmented and lack a trans-national dimension.

In order to create a level playing field for trans-national university-industry R&D cooperation, there is a need to promote consistency in the rules and practices applied across Europe.

To this end, the Commission adopted, in April 2007, a Communication on "Improving knowledge transfer between research institutions and industry across Europe: embracing open innovation" COM(2007)182 - ( [ - 192Kb] - [ - 204Kb] - [ - 198Kb]) – glossy version [ - 3571Kb]), accompanied by "Voluntary guidelines for universities and other research institutions to improve their links with industry across Europe" SEC(2007) 449 - ( [ - 194Kb]). Both documents aim to improve research collaboration and knowledge transfer between PROs and industry. Member States and stakeholders will be encouraged to implement them on a voluntary basis, taking into account national situations.

These documents draw on recommendations and already identified good practices, such as those made by CREST under the Open Method of Coordination and those made by CREST under the Open Method of Coordination and those contained in the "Handbook on Responsible Partnering" [ - 3Mb], developed by several European industrial and academic associations.

They relate in particular to the following subjects:

• Ownership regimes for publicly-funded research results
• Management of research results and corresponding intellectual property rights at PROs
• Professionalism of staff in knowledge transfer offices
• Appraisal criteria for public-sector researchers
• Awareness and training measures for the academic and public research community

In a broader context, the Commission is promoting university-industry cooperation by setting up a "University-Industry Forum", which has been launched at the end of February 2008.

The initial focus of the Forum has been on educational issues, but it will adress also knowledge transfer issues.