New details of technology validation and technology transfer projects on the Web
A wealth of new information on some 170 technology validation and technology transfer projects funded by the INNOVATION programme is now available on CORDIS on the redeveloped TVP/TTP homepage. The 170 projects were funded following three calls for proposals launched in 1995, 1996 and 1997, and are aimed at demonstrating good practice in technology validation and transfer, whilst addressing the needs of society and the market and helping European business to increase its capacity for transnational cooperation and improving Europe's innovation culture. The redeveloped site allows users direct access to details of each of the projects supported. The search facilities allow users to search projects by theme, by type, and by call. In addition to providing information on each project, the site also provides direct links to other Websites set up by individual projects, ensuring users receive the most up-to-date and complete information possible. The key to the projects is to demonstrate best practice, and therefore the projects funded come from all kinds of technological sectors. Many will have applications in different sectors and so the project aims to show how the process can be applied in different settings. A new service introduced by the INNOVATION programme is Quickscan, under which each of the project proposals was compared with existing patent information, to assess its novelty, before the project was launched and funding committed. Details of a number of publications and guides produced by the INNOVATION programme to encourage technology transfer and assist in the implementation of cooperative ventures in Europe are also available on the Website.