SPRINT call for proposals for Regional Innovation and Technology Transfer audits (RITTs) The Community Strategic Programme for Innovation and Technology Transfer (SPRINT, 1989-1993) is launching a new call for proposals within the framework of the Science Park Consultancy scheme. This threefold call includes two new strands, aside from the classical support for Te... The Community Strategic Programme for Innovation and Technology Transfer (SPRINT, 1989-1993) is launching a new call for proposals within the framework of the Science Park Consultancy scheme. This threefold call includes two new strands, aside from the classical support for Technology Park feasibility studies. The new strands concern firstly the evaluation of existing Science Parks and secondly the other Regional Innovation and Technology Transfer audits (RITTs). In most Member States, the number of agencies and organizations involved in the various aspects of Technology Transfer at the regional level and which make up the innovation infrastructure has increased significantly. In part, this is a natural process resulting from marketing pressures (e.g. the need for universities to sell technical services to industry) but it also represents a growing recognition by public authorities of the importance of innovation in the process of maintaining regional industrial competitiveness and, hence, in stimulating regional economic development. It therefore becomes more and more important to understand what actors are involved, how the structures operate, how they interact with the regional fabric of SMEs as well as between themselves, and to devise a strategy aiming at improving their efficiency in terms of the services they actually deliver to the firms. This is what the RITTs are designed to achieve. In that respect, the call aims at gathering applications from local or regional government, or bodies invested with a significant mission with regard to regional development. These bodies can apply either individually or as a consortium. Typical topics that might be considered in the study could be: - A strength and weakness analysis of the present Technology Transfer infrastructure; - Specific requirements and characteristics of regional Technology Transfer structures; - An evaluation of the needs of regional SMEs and of their fulfilment by past actions. The aim would be to make operational recommendations for regional policies with regard to Innovation support and Technology Transfer to SMEs. This survey will take place in the framework of a coordinated action at European level. It will therefore benefit from the input of recognized European experts as well as from a systematic programme of exchange of experience between the various European regions involved. The Commission's financial support will cover 50% (up to 75% in regions lagging in development or regions in decline) of the eligible costs of a consultancy assignment, to a limit of ECU 120,000. For an application package providing all the necessary information, plus the submission form, please contact: Commission of the European Communities SPRINT - Science Park Consultancy Scheme Directorate-General for Telecommunications, Information Market and Exploitation of Research DG XIII/D-4 L-2920 Luxembourg
