Dissemination and Valorization of RTD Results under the Fourth Framework Programme
On 10 March 1994, the Commission released a description of the specific programmes within the Fourth Framework Programme. Included is an overview of activities for the dissemination and valorization of RTD results to be carried out under the Third Action of the Programme. European science has great development potential, but has experienced difficulty translating research findings into practical applications. The programme for the dissemination and valorization of results will encourage the industrial exploitation of RTD results (stemming both from the European Union and the Member States), particularly focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form an essential element of European industry, and on the less-favoured regions. Three themes are pursued: - "The dissemination and valorization of research results", to develop the appropriate services (including VALUE Relay Centres, enlargement of the CORDIS information service, dissemination and awareness actions, support for the exploitation of research results and for the protection of intellectual and industrial rights); - "Technology dissemination in favour of enterprises", aiming principally at industrial SMEs which do not themselves have RTD potential but require access to technological developments. Actions will include support for innovation and technology transfer, promotion of university/enterprise and enterprise/enterprise cooperation, the establishment of dissemination networks in the least-favoured regions, the organization of training sessions, meetings, distribution of information on good practice in management, innovation and the dissemination of technologies. - "The financial environment of technology dissemination", where activities will aim to encourage new methods of technology financing, improve communications between financing organizations and the promoters of technology projects, and offer technical and management assistance to financial intermediaries for the evaluation of projects with a view to exploiting their results.