Strategic evaluation of the technology transfer and IPR protection systems of Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania and recommendations for their enhancement

With a view to maximise the impact of EU Cohesion Policy and RRP investments in the field of Research and Innovation (R&I) in Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania, this report provides a strategic evaluation of the three countries’ Technology Transfer systems with concrete recommendations for enhancing academia-industry collaboration and research commercialisation. The report aims to help Bulgaria, Croatia, and Romania to build up effective Research and Innovation (R&I) systems, in particular through the strengthening of Technology Transfer (TT) and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The report is the result of extensive research, primarily interviews and consultations with approximately 100 stakeholders, the majority of which from academia (Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) at Universities and Research Institutes) and government authorities (ministries; agencies at national and, where relevant, regional level), as well as some industry representatives, cluster associations and other innovation-focused stakeholders (science and technology parks, incubators, accelerators) from the three countries at focus. The interviews were conducted in the second half of 2022 and first half of 2023. This study presents a country-by-country analysis of the technology transfer landscape; regulatory frameworks, skills-capacities-capabilities; academia-industry collaboration dynamics; financing instruments and mechanisms; patenting of academic inventions, among others. The targeted findings and recommendations contained in the three country-focused chapters are followed by two horizontally-applicable chapters on Financing mechanism and capacity building activities; and TT Tools and IP Guidelines, which have a relevance to and could benefit all three countries. The work was commissioned by DG REGIO to the Joint Research Centre, which coordinated and directed the group of independent experts that authored the present report.