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How S&T Agreements can help address future challenges in international science cooperation

2014 INCO Conference - Divani Palace Acropolis - Athens

Derek Jan Fikkers

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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Content

1. Two slides about Technopolis Group

2. The STI Agreements study

3. Six main findings

4. Characteristics of bilateral STI agreements

5. The impacts of STI agreements

6. The future of EU STI agreement

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1. Technopolis Group

• History:

• 1989 spin-off from the University of Sussex

• Current:

• Specialised in research, innovation and economic growth

• 9 countries with 90+ people

• mixed backgrounds in terms of experience and nationalities

• Strategy building, develop capacities and support the implementation of policy initiatives

• Public authorities, universities, RTOs, publicprivate partnerships and business associations

• >2500 projects and studies

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2. Short introduction to the STI Agreements study

• DG RESEARCH’S official assignment:

1. Develop a better understanding STI agreements;

2. Explore the potential scope of a new type of Umbrella Agreements.

• Innovation Union, Commitment 31

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2. Short introduction to the STI Agreements study

Research methodology:

1. Academic literature review.

2. Analysis of 104 bilateral STI agreements

1. Breakdown into >40 variables

2. Assessment of impacts

3. Consultation of experts

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3. Six main findings

• EU and USA are still the main determinants of agreement structures. Structures are copy-pasted;

• Effectiveness in terms of cooperation often seem poor;

• IPR Annexes add no significant value;

• Effectiveness will benefit from increasing policy dialogues;

• More rigorous evaluations will improve cooperation;

• The EU should explore the potential of Umbrella Agreements.

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General structure (post-2000)

a) Objectives

b) Thematic priorities

c) Reciprocity

d) Cooperative activities

e) Policy Dialogues

f) Funding

g) Mobility issues

h) Renewal/ Evaluation

i) IPR

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Thematic priorities Policy Dialogues IPR

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Thematic priorities (EU) Policy Dialogues IPR

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5. The impacts of STI agreements

• Bilateral participation at the project increases (slightly);

• Reciprocity impacts are still low;

• Mobility of researchers increases very slowly;

• Bilateral policy dialogues fade away rapidly.

• Awareness amongst policy makers and researchers is often small;

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6. The future of EU STI agreements (Innovation Union)

1. ‘Europe’ should approach non-EU countries through ‘concerted action’

2. DG RESEARCH should explore the willingness of Member States to use Umbrella Agreements for STI cooperation

a) Case-by-case coordination

b) EU Member States join voluntarily

c) Adds scale, resources, and dedication

d) Flexible approach per third country

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