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Strategic programme (EEC) for innovation and technology transfer (SPRINT) - Definition phase, 1983-1988

 
This definition phase of the SPRINT programme was neither part of the first Framework Programme (1984-1987) nor of the succeeding Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (1987-1991).

It concentrated on the human networks and networks of organizations, as well as on the strengthening of infrastructures and the exchange of experience between Member States.

Innovation - with its main instrument, technology transfer - training, research and demonstration are all interdependent, innovation being the final stage in the technological development process.
To promote innovation and technology transfer through transnational development of a supporting cooperative infrastructure based on interaction between technology, industry and the market, using the advantages of European scale to provide trade incentives and ensure the economically viable exploitation of inventions.
Three lines of action:

- European cohesion between existing innovation promotion organizations:
Intended to make organizations and services in this field more effective by facilitating their operations on the Community market and their access to it, this involved:
. The industry-research interface;
. Technology and management advisory services;
. Venture finance operations;
. The interface between public users and innovative industries;

- Strengthening the foundations:
Designed to help meet basic requirements in knowledge, technique and communications, this involved:
. Joint support functions regarding awareness and assessment of new technologies and potential markets;
. Access to patents and licensing markets;
. Opening new channels of communication to accelerate market introduction of new products;
. Development of pilot transnational training programmes for specialists in technology transfer and innovation management and financing;

- Concertation of Member State and Community action:
Contributing to a general advance in the methods used in this
field, this involved:
. An intensification of concertation and information exchange;
. Comparisons and evaluations of programmes and measures;
. Community support for the advancement of a transnational innovation infrastructure.
The Commission, assisted by the Committee on Innovation and the Transfer of Technology (CIT), was responsible for implementing this programme. Activities or projects were either undertaken at the Commission's behest or qualified for partial Community financing. The Commission endeavoured to share the costs of the operations, to recover a part of its outlay from such revenue as accrued and to limit its contributions to an initial launching period.

The Commission disseminated in the Community the results of actions undertaken in the context of the programme and submitted detailed annual reports to the Council, the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee.