State Aid in Academia-Industry Cooperation: an Overview of the existing Conditions and Challenges Through the ExSACT Project

Authors

  • Urska Fric Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office, Faculty of Information Studies in Novo mesto, Ljubljanska cesta 31A, 8000 Novo mesto, Slovenia
  • Tomaz Lutman Office for Substantive Project Support, Technology Transfer and Innovation, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
  • Tinkara Mlinar Office for Substantive Project Support, Technology Transfer and Innovation, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23726/cij.2024.1521

Keywords:

ExSACT, IPR, State Aid, Academia-Industry Cooperation, Public Administration, Technology Transfer, Technology/Research Infrastructure, ATTRACT

Abstract

The ATTRACT’s European Scientific Research Infrastructures’ Innovation Ecosystem (ERI-IE) is vital to academia-industry cooperation but faces challenges under state aid rules designed to protect market competition. Employing quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including surveys and semi-structured interviews, the ExSACT project investigated how state aid regulations impact the financing of research, research and technology infrastructure (RI/TI) usage, and intellectual property rights (IPR) transfer in the EU. Findings indicate that limited awareness of state aid rules can hinder public investment and complicate RI/TI usage and IPR management. While the organizations recognize IPR's importance, they need more support with licensing and inventor incentives. IP registration processes are most refined for inventions and trade secrets, with less emphasis on industrial design and trademarks. Additionally, researchers expressed frustration with the complexity of state aid regulations. This research highlights the need to simplify state aid rules and improve understanding within state administrations, enabling smoother cooperation and technology transfer between the ERI, industry stakeholders, and society as a whole.

References

European Commission. (2019a). European Research Infrastructure. https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/strategy/strategy-2020-2024/our-digital-future/european-research-infrastructures_en

European Commission. (2021). European Innovation Ecosystem. https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/european-innovation-ecosystems_en

ATTRACT Phase 2. (2021). ExSACT. Enable State Administration to be an Active Contributors in process of risk absorption and risk reduction Through IPR and state aid. https://phase2.attract-eu.com/projects/exsact/

Fric, U., Lutman, T. & Mlinar, T. (2023). Creating Conditions for an Active Role of Public Administrations in Academia-Industry Cooperation: an Overview of Critical Points Through the ExSACT Project. 16th International Technology Transfer Conference (16. ITTC).

European Union. (2022). Communication from the Commission — Framework for State aid for research and development and innovation (2022/C 414/01). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52022XC1028%2803%29

European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. (2019b). Technology infrastructures – Commission Staff Working Document, Publication Office. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2777/83750

Kaiser, L. Neu, M. & Teernstra, F. (2021). State Aid on R&D&I – The Right Way. EARTO Report. https://www.earto.eu/wp-content/uploads/EARTO-Report-on-State-Aid-on-RDI-The-Right-Way-Final.pdf.

Kebapci, H., Von Wendland, B. & Kaymaktchiyski, S. (2020). State Aid Rules in Research, Development & Innovation. Addressing Knowledge and Awareness Gaps among Research and Knowledge Dissemination Organisations. Decision Tree, Kaiser, L. (Ed.), Neu, M. (Ed.), Teernstra, F. (Ed.), Nicolaides, P. (Ed.), EUR 30436 EN, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg. https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/10740aa6-223a-11eb-b57e-01aa75ed71a1/

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Published

2024-10-15

How to Cite

Fric, U., Lutman, T., & Mlinar, T. (2024). State Aid in Academia-Industry Cooperation: an Overview of the existing Conditions and Challenges Through the ExSACT Project. CERN IdeaSquare Journal of Experimental Innovation, 8(2), 28–32. https://doi.org/10.23726/cij.2024.1521

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2024)

Section

ATTRACT Socio Economic Studies

Categories

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Copyright (c) 2024 Urska Fric, Tomaz Lutman, Tinkara Mlinar

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