TT-ERA-EIRO · Technology Transfer and the European Research Area: past, present and future contributions from the EIROforum Organisations

Today, intellectual property, technology and knowledge transfer are concepts that can be seen as an integral part of the scientific and technological activities of the EIROforum Organisations. Those key concepts are clearly part of the European Research Area’s agenda and fully recognised by the European Commission, the European Parliament as a major driver for Europe’ move towards a knowledge based society. Mostly because of their role in the European science, all EIROforum organisations have experience and expertise in the areas of intellectual property, technology and knowledge transfer. It will be important to confront those experiences, to try to understand where things could be done in different ways and in some cases propose changes that could help Europe to become more efficient in terms of translation of our research and technology development efforts into measurable added value (through increased cooperation with European industry or creation of jobs in spin-off companies…). The dissemination and uptake of research results are essential to the success of the European Research Area and to the realisation of the knowledge economy. The EIROforum organisations are globally convinced that the time has come to have an open discussion about ways to improve the present situation. This discussion will take place with the major European stakeholders of the future Knowledge based Society. EIROforum will organise a conference to bring together the different actors (scientists, engineers, TTOs. industry representatives, high level science and technology experts from the member states and European politicians) to start addressing all these issues and possibly improve the interfaces between those communities.