Improving the valorisation of research results is key to unleash the full potential of Europe’s excellent science, respond to the real needs of society and facilitate access to talent and knowledge for our industry, including SMEs and start-ups. The Mutual Learning Exercise (MLE) on Knowledge Valorisation, engaging 18 countries, has aimed to improve policies and public support for knowledge uptake and deployment. The European Commission has just published the final report. It provides a set of recommendations and a policy toolbox of programmes, measures and good practices to strengthen knowledge valorisation in practice across Europe.
Key take aways
A long-term strategic approach to knowledge valorisation is key to achieving sustainable progress. It should be tailored to each country's unique context, fostering a shared vision among public and private actors. Cultivating a new culture and creating sound ecosystems require involving all R&I stakeholders, the implementation of customised policy instruments and a lively dissemination of best practices.
A vital first step is prioritising capacity-building initiatives. Stakeholders need the necessary knowledge and mindset to actively participate in knowledge valorisation activities. Additionally, improved communication strategies are essential to raise awareness about key concepts and potential impact.
Another crucial step is transitioning from a conventional intellectual property mindset to effective intellectual assets management. This all-encompassing approach considers all types of intellectual assets and ways to transform them into innovative solutions in a proactive, comprehensive and responsible manner.
To get the most value from R&I investments, we need the right skills and competencies. This includes nurturing entrepreneurial skills for talented researchers, promoting inter-sectoral mobility and continuing efforts to train professionals who can facilitate the sharing and valorisation of knowledge. It is essential to make intellectual asset management and standardisation a serious part of research projects early on and to strengthen the skills and knowledge of individuals involved in these activities.
It is important to create and support collaborative environments that bring together researchers, universities and research organisations, industry, public administration/policymakers, civil society organisations and others. The knowledge stemming from R&I should be accessible, absorbed, translated, transformed, adapted and applied by users. As such, intermediaries and multi-stakeholder networks are vital in this process. They provide support services and facilitate partnering and cooperation of different types of organisations to valorise scientific knowledge effectively.
Recommendations
The final report of the Mutual Learning Exercise outlines a set of policy recommendations and contains a policy toolbox of programmes, measures and good practices to implement a knowledge valorisation strategy . The detailed recommendations of the report can be summarised in the following way:
- Adopt a clear vision and a multi-annual strategic approach for knowledge valorisation, including addressing security issues and safeguarding European research & technology sovereignty.
- Ensure a conducive regulatory environment, boost dedicated funding, innovate with participatory governance.
- Raise awareness and collective understanding of the key concepts behind knowledge valorisation, including intellectual assets management.
- Activate intensive multi-actor collaboration and networking and promote inclusiveness; make use of and support relevant intermediaries and multi-stakeholder networks.
- Foster entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial discovery skills, mindset, and culture, and stimulate open innovation schemes and public/private partnerships.
- Develop a comprehensive skills acquisition programme, including but not limited to intellectual assets management, business development, entrepreneurship, and standardisation;
- Promote and reward motivated talents and organisations who engage in knowledge valorisation.
- Encourage standardisation efforts, promote sustainability models, and demand-side initiatives.
- Monitor and evaluate, with a quantitative, qualitative and process-driven perspective.
About the Mutual Learning Exercise
The Mutual Learning Exercise (MLE) on Knowledge Valorisation was set up to foster a policy dialogue among EU countries on how to implement the Council Recommendation on Guiding Principles for knowledge valorisation while also promoting attractive research careers. Between March 2023 and March 2024, it enabled an intensive exchange of experiences and policy learning among 18 interested countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden). A team of policy experts and the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG R&I) played a key role in implementing this activity. Four on-site country visits to Austria, Finland, Spain, and Sweden enabled participants to analyse national policies and instruments and listen to local stakeholders.
Among the many aspects addressed by the Guiding Principles, the MLE focused on five topics: (a) the policy and legal context as well as governance and funding, (b) research talents and skills for knowledge valorisation, (c) the role of intermediaries, (d) the importance of networks and processes, and (e) intellectual assets management. For each topic, a dedicated thematic report has been published.
Further information
Final Report – Mutual Learning Exercise on Knowledge Valorisation
Summary article – Mutual Learning Exercise on Knowledge Valorisation
Factsheet - Mutual Learning Exercise on R&I Knowledge Valorisation
Thematic report on Policy and legal context, governance and funding
Thematic report on Incentives and Skills: Focus on Research Talent
Thematic report on Intermediaries
Thematic Report on Multi-Stakeholder Networks and Processes
Thematic Report on Intellectual Assets Management
See also: