Regional Government launches Research and Development Vouchers to stimulate innovation among regional companies
The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology announced today the provision of Research and Development Vouchers, a support measure for regional companies under the Transfer+ initiative, which aims at a greater interconnection between scientific production and the innovation of research centres and the business fabric.
According to Gui Menezes, these are “new incentives for companies” that comprise four different types: "R&D Opportunities Voucher," "Intellectual Property Rights Voucher," "Matching Voucher" and "Spin-off Voucher."
The Regional Secretary spoke during the signing of the agreement for Development and Cooperation Activities between the Region, NONAGON - São Miguel Science and Technology Park and the University of the Azores. On the occasion, he considered this measure “a good opportunity for companies that are just starting up.”
In this regard, the Secretary for Science and Technology urged companies based in NONAGON to “seize the potential of this initiative, especially with regard to intellectual property rights,” emphasising that “it is essential to protect their ideas so as to guarantee their success.”
The calls for the Research and Development Vouchers will be open until December 31, through the Desk 2020 portal, and correspond to an investment of 800 thousand Euros
The four types of vouchers support actions up to 20 thousand Euros with a non-refundable co-financing rate of 75%, providing technology transfer services, demonstration and construction of prototypes, registration of intellectual property, including trademarks and patents. They also give access to liaison services between scientific and business entities to harness the scientific potential and support business creation, based on R&D in academic research.
In his speech, Gui Menezes highlighted the “major effort” undertaken by the Regional Government during this legislative term to “connect the knowledge produced in academia to business innovation and the business fabric.”
In this regard, he highlighted measures such as the two research and development calls in business context, aligned with RIS3, the creation, for the first time, of post-doctoral grants in business context and the DOC-PROF programme for the integration of doctorates into companies.
“A transforming step has been taken in the use of Community funds for innovation and development” in the Region, said the government official.
The agreement now signed between the Regional Government, NONAGON and the University of the Azores aims to encourage the creation of scientific and technological companies in the Region as well as to mediate initiatives that facilitate the process of transferring technology from the scientific field to the market.
In July, the Regional Government, the University of the Azores and TERINOV - Terceira Science and Technology Park had already signed a similar agreement.