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ACC10 programme to foster mobility of researchers with a focus in applied research and technology transfer

Final Report Summary - TECNIOSPRING (ACC10 programme to foster mobility of researchers with a focus in applied research and technology transfer)

TECNIOspring is the fellowship programme managed by ACCIÓ, the executive public agency for the innovation and internationalisation of Catalan companies, attached to the Ministry of Occupation and Enterprise of the Government of Catalonia. TECNIOspring first edition ran from 2013 to 2018. The programme's new edition is TECNIOspring PLUS (2016-2021).

TECNIOspring is addressed to highly talented and motivated experienced researchers, to give them the opportunity to develop their research career in their area of interest, with focus on technology transfer. It includes two mobility schemes:
• Outgoing + return: mobility outside Spain for experienced researchers of any nationality willing to go abroad and join a research or technology centre or R&D department of a private company for one year. This scheme included a return phase of one more year to a research and development or technological centre in Catalonia belonging to the TECNIO network.
• Incoming: mobility for experienced researchers of any nationality, non-residents in Spain, willing to join a research and development or technological centre in Catalonia belonging to the TECNIO network for two years.

Candidates submit their applications in liaison with the TECNIO centre of their choice. Fellowships establish a personal development career plan including research and training activities on technology transfer and complementary soft skills. Fellows develop a research project with focus on technology transfer and work under a scientific supervisor in a stimulating and multidisciplinary scientific environment.

TECNIO is the network of Catalan major actors in applied research and technology transfer created and managed by ACCIÓ, with a staff of 2,568 people and a turnover of 110 MEUR. TECNIO entities cover all major scientific and/or technological areas addressed by TECNIOspring, that are the ones defined by the Research and Innovation Strategy for the Smart Specialisation of Catalonia (RIS3CAT): Biotechnology; ICT; Food Technologies; Production Technologies; Materials Technologies; Energy, chemical and environmental technologies.

TECNIOspring launched 4 call for proposals between 2013 and 2015, funding 63 fellowships (25 incoming, 38 outgoing+return), of which 22 women. Most projects focused on Biotechnology and ICT and dealt with Health industries and Energy and resources.

TECNIOspring programme can be considered as very successful in terms of dissemination and impact. The programme received applications from candidates of 56 different nationalities. TECNIOspring fellows reported so far 179 accepted peer-reviewed papers, 148 interventions in congresses and 328 other invited talks and communications, 26 supervised doctoral dissertations and 25 supervised master theses, 19 patent applications (9 patents obtained), 8 prototypes presented to the market (at fairs or other events) and reached agreements involving 25 companies. 37 fellows confirmed they will continue working on their research project after the grant finishes. Three fellows have been hired by a private company.

Fellows' satisfaction with the programme conditions in terms of hosting procedures, access to the required equipment and facilities, technology transfer activities and training activities was very high, as indicated by the interviews and visits during their projects.

TECNIOspring will be continued by TECNIOspring PLUS, that will grant 72 fellowships. TECNIOspring PLUS aims at consolidating the success of TECNIOspring, enlarging the programme with fellowships at companies as well as research centres and offering improved training opportunities for fellows in the area of technology transfer.