Two European studies on the impact on innovation of public R&D

The European Commission, Enterprise and Industry DG has commissioned two inter-related studies
on the Impact on Innovation of Publicly-Funded Research Programmes. These studies will be
carried out during 2006/07 and are entitled:

1. Evaluation of the impact on innovation of projects of Community 5th and 6th RTD Framework Programmes
2. Benchmarking strategies and methodologies of national, European and international R&D programmes, to assess and increase their impact on innovation (IMPLORE)

The second study is the subject of this overview leaflet. It is known as IMPLORE because it will benchmark strategies and methodologies to both achieve and measure impact (IMP) on innovation.
This will include specific design features that are embedded within programmes and also related initiatives that support knowledge transfer from such programmes. It will also provide examples of good practice (LORE) both in Europe and internationally. The IMPLORE study was launched in January 2006 and is being carried out by a consortium of eight organisations from six countries.

The Lisbon Objective depends on the impact of R&D on innovation

The Lisbon Objective – making the EU "the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion" – will only be achieved if R&D spending effectively and efficiently translates into socioeconomic innovation. Not only must Europe invest more in R&D, as articulated in the Barcelona 3% Target, we must also improve on the quality of that R&D and particularly in its commercialisation in new and improved products, processes and services.

The IMPLORE Study

The study will consist of four main activities:

1. Mapping: Identification, listing and mapping of initiatives/research programmes – on national and European level – with significant impact on innovation.
2. Benchmarking: of methodologies used to assess the impact of R&D on innovation and the relevant strategies adopted to increase this impact.
3. Good practices: Identification of good practices in the design, management, and implementation of R&D initiatives/programmes, and the possible and most effective means to diffuse them.
4. Conference: Organisation of an international conference to present, validate and disseminate results and pave the way for further co-operation of the involved actors, in order to maximise the benefits for the European Innovation area.
   

The conference (IMPLORE Berlin 2007) will disseminate the results of both studies. An international High Level Advisory Panel from Europe, America and Asia will support the project, bringing together outstanding experts involved in the design and management of R&D programmes from the perspectives of industry, academia, political institutions and administrations, and R&D
programme agencies.