Thanks to this programme, ACCIÓ offered financial support to third parties (companies, technology centres and TECNIO entities with legal registration in Catalonia) through three cascade funding calls: 2019, 2020 and 2021. 302 applications were jointly submitted by host organisations and experienced researchers from across 45 countries. It is important to highlight the participation of companies as applicants. From 2019 to 2020, the applications submitted by companies more than doubled (from 26 to 61), with more companies applying than research and technology centres, a trend that was confirmed with the 2021 call. Out of 68 projects, 39 took place in TECNIO entities or technology centres and 29 in companies.
Strategic alliances were fostered through various mechanisms, including secondments, collaborations with host entities abroad, and the outgoing and return mobility schemes. These wide range of collaboration options played a key role in strengthening international partnerships by allowing researchers to gain valuable experience in organisations outside their home countries, while subsequently transferring the acquired knowledge and expertise back to their local institutions.
Multiple results stemmed from research activities: development of 56 prototypes, 37 goods or services, 6 best practices and 4 guidelines or standards, and creation of 2 spin-offs. Moreover, 7 patent applications are in progress, 3 trademarks were registered.
The projects results were disseminated thanks to the more than 135 publications published by fellows and host organisations, networking events organised by ACCIÓ and other parties and trade fairs, amongst others. The communication of the projects and science topics in general to a broader audience was also encouraged, and a total of 74 outreach activities were organised by Tecniospring INDUSTRY fellows.
