Community Research and Development Information Service - CORDIS

The Agents of the Science and Technology System

The Public Administration

 1. Foundations

Foundations are non-profitable entities created by public or private sector which represent a key component as an intermediary between supply and demand for R&D and innovation and science, technology and business worlds. Foundations have not ceased to grow in number in recent years.

The Ministry for Science and Innovation has two main foundations focused in promoting the Spanish science and technology and innovation system:

• The Spanish Science and Technology Foundation (FECYT)

• The Foundation for the Development of Genome and Proteome Research (Genoma España).

2. University-Enterprise Foundations

University-Enterprise Foundations (FUE, in Spanish) are private non-profitable organisations created jointly by the Universities and Chambers of Commerce to tackle the challenges, grasp the opportunities and build a healthy relation between institutions; as well as bring the collectives to work together.

There are at present thirty-three FUEs, operational in 17 Spanish Autonomous Communities.

3. Public Research Organisations (PROs)

PROs are public, nationwide research institutions which, along with the Universities, form the basic core of the Spanish public RTD system, implementing most of the activities programmed as part of the National Scientific Research, Development and Technological Innovation Plan. The most relevant PRO in the Spanish system is the Spanish Scientific Research Council (CSIC).

4. Industrial Liaison Offices (ILOs)

ILOs are intermediaries in the science-technology-business system whose fundamental mission is to strengthen relations among the stakeholder. Thus, ILOs work to identify technological needs of the socioeconomic sectors and to nurture technology transfer between public and private sectors. By doing so, they contribute to the application and commercialisation of the results of R&D generated by the universities and public research centres.

5. Bodies and Agencies Fomenting Innovation

The bodies and agencies whose aim is to promote innovation are organisations inside the public, regional and local administrations, which operate as tools for facilitating the implementation of actions. These bodies and agencies are public entities with different legal forms. Some State examples are the Spanish Patents and Trademarks Office (OEPM, in Spanish) and, regionally and locally, the Regional and Local Development Agencies.

Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI)

The mission of the CDTI is to “enhance the competitiveness of Spanish companies, increasing their level of technology, with a model based on demand from companies and with a horizontal technological approach with criteria of technical excellence”.
At national level, it assesses and manages funds for corporate R&D&I projects. It also offers support programmes for the creation and consolidation of technology-based companies. At international level, it arranges and promotes participation by Spanish companies in technology cooperation schemes, such as the European Union R&D Framework Programme, EUREKA, IBEROEKA and bilateral programmes. The CDTI also manages the industrial returns associated with Spain’s participation in large-scale international scientific facilities. In the field of Space and Aeronautics, it manages their Strategic Plans. That involves tasks of assessment and the funding of R&D&I projects and managing the participation by Spanish companies in international programmes. The CDTI is the body responsible for representing Spain at the European Space Agency (ESA).

Not-for-profit institutions

These institutions, divided in three types, constitute another focal point of the Science and Technology system.

• Scientific and Technological Parks are infrastructures which act as industrial development poles where technologically advanced small and medium-sized enterprises arise, and spin-offs from Universities emerge.

• Technological Centres and Technological Innovation Support Centres provide companies with R&D and innovation services and act as a support platform by generating technological know-how and facilitating its exploitation.

• Finally, European Business and Innovation Centres offer promoters and entrepreneurs cover and integrated advice comprising a comprehensive range of supports, monetary aids and services necessary for the preparation and success of new activities.

The Private Sector

Private companies are essential elements of the system, which aim to strengthen its capacity and to improve its competitiveness. This group of entities, individually or collectively (associations, Chambers of Commerce, etc...) plays an active role in the RTD system, not limited as a receptor of R&D and innovation funding, but as well as full actors