The law reform recognizes and promotes the transfer of knowledge, one of the shortcomings of the Spanish R&D&I system, and places it as a right, obligation and merit in the System, which will allow the inclusion of new mechanisms such as the six-year transfer for researchers. The objective of this pillar of the new Law on Science is to encourage the direct transfer of knowledge and innovation generated in the public sector to companies and society.
The law will regulate the public purchase of innovation in its two modalities: pre-commercial public purchase and public purchase of innovative technology. In addition, public administrations are able to invest in commercial companies through instruments that already work successfully in universities in other countries.
On the other hand, the participation in benefits derived from research results will amount to at least one third, in the case of personnel of public research agencies and entities of the state public sector. In addition, the public position is protected when rights over research results are transferred.
The standard also provides for the establishment of regulated R&D&I test benches, also known as sandboxes, which will be carried out solely for research or innovation purposes.
On the other hand, the Research Results Transfer Offices (OTRI) will be renamed Knowledge Transfer Offices (OTC).
The law will also promote the participation of citizens in the scientific-technical process and will encourage and recognize the role of the research staff that carries out dissemination and the Scientific Culture Units.