The reform of the Act recognises and promotes the transfer of knowledge, one of the shortcomings of the Spanish R&D&I system, and positions it as a right, obligation and merit in the System, which will enable new mechanisms such as the transfer six-year term for researchers to be included. The aim of this pillar of the new Science Act is to encourage the direct transfer of the knowledge and innovation generated in the public sector to companies and society.
The Act will regulate public innovation procurement in the two modalities: pre-commercial public procurement and public procurement of innovative technology. In addition, it is made possible for public administrations to be able to invest in companies through instruments that already operate successfully in universities in other countries.
On the other hand, the profit-sharing from research results will amount to at least one third, in the case of personnel from public research organisations and state public sector bodies. The public position is also protected when rights to the research results are transferred.
The regulation also includes the establishment of regulated R&D&I test banks, also known as sandboxes, which will be carried out solely for research or innovation purposes.
The Research Results Transfer Offices (OTRI) will be renamed Knowledge Transfer Offices (OTC).
The Act will also encourage citizen participation in the scientific and technical process, and will encourage and recognise the role of research personnel engaging in outreach and dissemination work and the Scientific Culture Units.
