Call for Proposals to Support and Build Capacity in Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs)
On 26 July 2022, the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), through the Director General for Industrial Property – Italian Patent and Trademark Office, issued a call for proposals aimed at strengthening technology transfer flows to businesses. The goal is to enhance the value and protection of industrial property arising from initiatives promoted by university TTOs. The call supports projects that build capacity and enhance the operations of Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) at Italian universities, public research institutions (PRIs), and scientific hospital and care institutes (IRCCS). The aim is to boost the flow of technology transfer to the business sector, in line with the goals of Mission 1 "Digitalisation, Innovation, Competitiveness, Culture and Tourism", Component 2 "Digitalisation, Innovation and Competitiveness in the Production System", Investment 6 "Industrial Property System" of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The total funding available through this call amounts to €7.5 million, allocated under Mission 1 – Component 2 – Investment 6.
University of Bologna Projects
The University submitted two proposals through the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) within the Innovation Division (ARIN), both of which were awarded funding.
The 2 awarded projects are:
Feed-KT – Strengthening Knowledge Transfer in the Field of Bioeconomy
- Project Lead: Alessandra Baccigotti
- Division and Office involved in the project: ARIN (Innovation Division) – Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO)
- Funding: €6.00.
- Duration: 24 months
Abstract
The project aims to boost technology transfer by hiring two Knowledge Transfer Managers (KTMs): one focusing on the bioeconomy sector (KTM-BIO) and the other on new plant varieties developed through the University’s breeding programmes (KTM-NVV). These professionals will be trained to raise awareness and promote a culture of intellectual property among researchers, step up scouting activities, and implement effective strategies for protecting and leveraging the intellectual property generated through research. Their work will include establishing contacts with businesses to facilitate this process.
ExploitAction 4.0 – Enhancing Patent Exploitation at the University of Bologna
- Project Lead: Andrea Ravaioli
- Division and Office involved in the project: ARIN (Innovation Division) – Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO)
- Funding: €6.00.
- Duration: 24 months
Abstract
This project focuses on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of patent exploitation by introducing a dedicated Innovation Promoter. The Innovation Promoter will support business development managers within the KTO’s thematic areas by actively promoting and enhancing the value of patents, with particular attention to those applications protecting innovations with the greatest potential for commercial exploitation, especially in the field of Engineering.
