EU Project Consortia as a Vehicle for Technology Transfer: Exploring the Phenomenon from a FP7 Trust and Security Research Project Perspective

Collaborative European Commission research, development and innovation (RDI) projects underpinned by an open innovation ethos (Chesborough, 2003); present a fertile platform for technology transfer between research and... [ view full abstract ]

Collaborative European Commission research, development and innovation (RDI) projects underpinned by an open innovation ethos (Chesborough, 2003); present a fertile platform for technology transfer between research and industry partners. This is evidenced by collaborative R&D outputs seeking industrial applications, and industries utilising the skills, knowledge and resources of universities and research centres. Nonetheless, the challenges and issues hampering technology transfer from EU RDI projects/consortia are well documented as reflected in the renewed focus on this phenomenon in Horizon 2020 calls influenced by Europe 2020 Strategy and its Innovation Union flagship initiative. The complexity inherent in ICT research whereby the technology is part-software and part-knowledge and the tangibility of its conversion to a sustainable technology readiness level is not immediately apparent Some of the challenges of EU funded research are the readiness and supports available to branch-out to a full spin-out vis-à-vis competing individual multi-stakeholder exploitation requirements and expectations. Compounding these issues, there is difficulties in aligning academic research exploitation metrics and aspirations with those of industry partners (Perkmann et al., 2003). This paper seeks to explore the issue of technology transfer impact in the context of EU funded FP7 research projects in the Trust and Security domain.