Advancing Knowledge Transfer in Applied Sciences through STW Initiatives in the Netherlands
The STW (Technology Foundation) in the Netherlands fosters innovation by linking academic research and industry through various funding programs. By supporting application-oriented research, STW aims to ensure optimal knowledge transfer between researchers and technology users. Key programs include the Open Technology Program, Perspectief Programs, and Partnership Programs that promote collaboration between universities, knowledge institutes, and companies. With substantial funding, STW facilitates technological development in diverse fields such as bioengineering, resource recovery, and smart process technologies, ensuring that research results benefit society.
Advancing Knowledge Transfer in Applied Sciences through STW Initiatives in the Netherlands
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Technology Foundation STW • Funding agency • Finance research at universitiesandsome selectedknowledgeinstitutes • Appliedsciences in NL Cyclox® -diesel fromplantmaterial Nereda® -water purification Precision spraying 2/17
Universities S T W Industry Science Technology Effort Fundamental Scientific Research Technological Research Product Development 3/17
Technology Foundation STW Our goal / mission Achievingknowledge transfer betweenacademic research and users in generalandindustry in particular How? • Fund excellent, application-oriented, academic research • Evaluateevenly on scientificqualityand the utilisation plan • Bringresearchersandpotential users togetherfrom the start • Guide allprojectstowardsoptimalopportunitiesfor the transfer of knowledge 4/17
IncomeandExpenditure 89M€ • Co-financing & IP 18 M€ 8 M€ 90M€ • Open Technologieprogramma 22 M€ • Contribution EZ 10 M€ • Vernieuwingsimpuls 10 M€ • OCW 50 M€ 31 M€ • Perspectief • NWO 24 M€ • a.o. Partnership & • Valorisation Grant • Overhead 6 M€ • Income • Expenditure • Fiscalyear2012
Ecosystem of STW • ±500project leaders • ±750 researchers • > 600 companies • in user committees • 2500 actual user relations 6/17
STW instruments • Open Technology Program (20%) open competitionforprojects up to k€ 750 • Perspectief program for the Topsectors (35%) open competitionbetween programs M€ 2 - 4 • Partnershipprogram (17%) tailored programs, STW M€ 1,5 + industrial partner M€ 1,5 • Valorisation Grant (6%) start-up subsidyforcommercialization of aninvention, 3 phases • Vernieuwingsimpuls (11%) personal subsidyforscientificcareerdevelopment 7/17
Bringingpartiestogether Every STW-project is monitored by a user committee (UC) In the UC meeting participate: • applicant(s) • users (minimum is 4 of which 50% companies) • personnel temporarily appointed to the project • program officer STW, supported by: • management assistant • legal department • financial department User committees in action 8/17
Role of the user committee • platform for interaction between knowledge (technology) providers and (technology) users. • Keep focus on the application of the results – maximise the possibility of knowledge transfer • Give advice on the technology development, e.g. pitfalls, ‘hands-on’ know-how. • Creation of a network that endures beyond the project period. 10/17
Outcome of STW-projects • Well educated researchers • Scientific output / Know how (publications, theses) • Idea • Concept • Proof-of-principle / Proof-of-concept • Guidelines - policy • Prototype • Pre-series • Production • Sales • Follow up investments • Patents 11/17
Knowledge transfer Twostrategiesdepending on the outcomeand sector • Protect the knowledge • Toenabletechnology transfer / toprotect the interests of the companies involved the knowledgedeveloped is strictlyconfidential • File a patent / knowhow agreement 2. “Spread the news” • Workshop withall stakeholders • Researcher / user presentations • Open source software • Non-scientificpublications 12/17
Publicity is important !! Volkskrant 13 October 2012 Example: Addingactivatedcoaltocontaminatedsediments 13/17
Intellectual property policy Starting points: • Confidentiality • OwnershipIPR and know-how jointlyto STW and university • Members of the UC will have a preferential position, but are not automatically entitled to apply the results • Companies → discuss results internally, but no commercial activities → consult STW • A financial or in-kind contribution to the project does NOT imply the right to use results - however an option agreement is possible • User’s exclusivity only in exchange for a substantial contribution, option agreement required 14/17
Perspectief Programs From Waste to Resource (W2R) Recovery of resources fromorganic side streams 5 projects 4 M€, including 1 M€ cofinancing BioGeoCivil Bio-Based Geo & Civil Engineering for a Sustainable Society 5 projects 4.8 M€, including 1.3 M€ co-financing
Perspectief Programs GSPT Green and Smart Process Technologies Development of sustainablealternatives 7 projects 6.4 M€, including 1.7 M€ co-financing Learning from Nature Usenatural reservoir of plant defense mechanisms Toobtainbettercrops 7 projects 6 M€, including1.3 M€ co-financing
Perspectief Programs SMARTSep Smart separationtechnologies for complex systems 7 projects 4.7 M€, including 1.3 M€ cofinancing
Partnership Programs Rijk Zwaan BV Meiosis, managing meiotic recombination in plant breeding 5 projects 3 M€, including 1.5M€ by Rijk Zwaan BV Paques BV The VFA Platform 5 projects 3 M€, including 1.5M€ byPaques BV
Other Programs STW – EZ Protein Innovation Programme 5 projects 3 M€, including0.3 M€ co-financing
Open Technology Programme Breedingeels in aquaculture Ecology and genomics of Lysobacter species: toward the development of new disease control strategies Galactofuranose biosynthesis in Aspergillusniger provides new opportunities for industrial applications in the field of red and white biotechnology
