Project description
Unlocking value through enhanced knowledge transfer
Europe produces world-class research, yet a persistent gap remains in translating discoveries into solutions. This 'innovation gap' often stems from knowledge and technology transfer offices lacking professional skills and resources. The EU-funded Skills4Valorisation project addresses this by enhancing the expertise and services of knowledge transfer professionals. Building on large-scale mapping of 50+ KTOs/TTOs and international benchmarking, the project will establish a European competence framework, deliver trainings and service-adaptation toolkits, and launch 20 pilot projects through two open calls – ensuring involvement from widening regions and representation of women-led teams. Pilots will benefit from mentoring, peer learning and an AI-driven coaching tool. By strengthening Europe's knowledge transfer community, the project aims to transform scientific excellence into tangible societal and economic value.
Objective
Europe produces world-class research, yet much knowledge remains underused, fuelling the “European paradox”: scientific excellence but weak innovation uptake. This gap undermines competitiveness and societal impact. The ERA Policy Agenda 2022–2024, via ERA Action 7, calls for upgraded EU guidance on knowledge valorisation, reinforced by the Council Recommendation on Guiding Principles (EU 2022/2415) and the Codes of Practice on Intellectual Asset Management and Industry–Academia Co-creation. Together, they call for a shift from narrow IP management to holistic, ecosystem-wide valorisation.
Knowledge and Technology Transfer Offices are central to this transition, yet many lack the professionalisation, resources and skills needed. Capacities remain uneven across Europe, particularly in Widening countries, and academic careers still undervalue valorisation activities. Gender imbalances persist, with women and diverse groups underrepresented in leadership roles.
Skills4Valorisation addresses these challenges by upgrading the skills and services of KTO/TTO professionals in universities and research performing organisations. The project will map and benchmark practices, develop a European competence framework, design training modules and service-adaptation toolkits, and validate them with practitioners. Through 2 open calls, 20 pilot projects will adapt and embed modern valorisation services, ensuring strong involvement from Widening countries and women-led teams. Pilots will be supported by mentoring, peer learning and an AI Innovation Companion Tool to guide early-stage innovators.
The consortium, led by SPLORO with partners MWC, EurA and SCE brings expertise in cascade funding, training, tech transfer, entrepreneurship education and large-scale networking. Skills4Valorisation will empower KTOs/TTOs to transform research into societal and economic value, strengthen Europe’s innovation ecosystem, and ensure the ERA delivers on its ambitions.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.4.2 - Reforming and enhancing the European R&I System
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-06
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
31006 PAMPLONA
Spain
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.