The UPC receives Knowledge Transfer Office accreditation

The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU) has recognised, after an evaluation process, 111 entities as Knowledge Transfer Offices. The new register responds to the recent Royal Decree to promote entities dedicated to valorisation and transfer and modernises the previous register of Research Results Transfer Offices (OTRI).

Several units and services of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) have worked on the application procedure that has made it possible to receive this distinction. This has involved detecting and making visible the University's activity in the field of valorisation and transfer of technologies and knowledge, as well as key aspects for the University's relationship with society such as dissemination, university promotion or community participation in the research and innovation process.

Thanks to this dedication, the UPC has been recognised by the Ministry in all five basic functions of the KTOs:

1. Protection of R+D+I results (patents or other forms of protection)
2. Exploitation of research results (contracts for the transfer of their use or ownership to third parties)
3. Collaborative research between public and private entities / contracting of R+D+I and technological services
4. Promotion of the creation of knowledge-based entities
5. Social dissemination of knowledge (new function of KTOs)

Receiving accreditation as a Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) provides official recognition, increases the entity's credibility and facilitates monitoring by the Ministry of entities dedicated to valorisation and knowledge and innovation transfer tasks.

What are Knowledge Transfer Offices?

Knowledge Transfer Offices (KTOs) are key agents in the connection between knowledge-generating entities and the productive sector, as an essential element to increase Spanish innovative capacities and enhance their impact on growth and social well-being.

The activity of KTOs ranges from the detection of research results and their legal protection to their commercialisation through various means such as exploitation licences, collaborative research between public and private entities, contracting of R+D+I and technological services, or the creation and/or participation in knowledge-based entities. The data provided by the entities registered in the Register will favour the design and elaboration of public policies to promote valorisation and knowledge transfer.

The MICIU works to strengthen these entities and enhance their capacities and their impact on the Spanish Science, Technology and Innovation System (SECTI), through the professionalisation of their resources, cooperation among them and with other SECTI agents, and the internationalisation of their activities.

Of the total entities registered in the MICIU Knowledge Transfer Offices Register, there are 55 universities, 26 technology and technological innovation support centres, 11 health entities, 7 regional R+D bodies, 5 state R+D bodies and 7 entities of another type.

What differentiates KTOs from OTRIs?

Research Results Transfer Offices (OTRIs) and Knowledge Transfer Offices (KTOs) have similar objectives, but they differ in their approach and scope.

OTRIs have been the classic entities within the technology valorisation and transfer system in Spain, acting as intermediaries between researchers and the productive sector. They have primarily focused on the valorisation and transfer of specific research results from universities and research centres, and their activities have included the protection of intellectual property, patent management, commercialisation of research results and promotion of collaborative projects between universities and companies.

In contrast, KTOs have a broader approach that not only includes