The National Contact Point for Intellectual Property and Knowledge Valorisation (NCP-IP)
Who we are
The NCP-IP was established by a decision of the Federal Government on 2 March 2010, based on the EU IP Recommendation, within the BMFWF in collaboration with the BMWET and the BMIMI.
As an interministerial platform, the National Contact Point coordinates knowledge transfer activities at national level, maintains contacts with comparable institutions in the Member States and represents Austria in the relevant European bodies. The implementation of European agendas and guidelines on the valorisation of knowledge plays a central role in this context.
In its day-to-day operations, the NCP-IP is supported by the specialist expertise of Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (aws) and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).
Why we exist
The optimal exchange of knowledge is essential for success in global competition. To ensure that research findings can be utilised quickly and efficiently and transformed into innovations, the transfer of knowledge, technologies and know-how between public research institutions, universities and the private sector must function optimally. The concept of technology transfer has now been subsumed within the broader concept of knowledge valorisation, which takes a comprehensive view of assets and their societal benefits.
In order to effectively implement research findings in times of multiple crises and major global challenges, a broader understanding is needed – in line with this concept of valorisation – of how knowledge can be put to social and economic use. This approach therefore involves all stakeholders in the research and innovation ecosystem and takes into account all types of intellectual assets right from the moment knowledge is created, extending far beyond technology and intellectual property rights.
The key objectives include:
- Professionalising knowledge transfer in Austria: through the targeted dissemination of relevant knowledge and tools relating to intellectual property and knowledge valorisation
- Making up-to-date knowledge available: developments, trends, tools, support measures and examples of good practice
- Optimising negotiation processes, for example through modern, annotated model contracts
- Supporting open innovation processes with a comprehensive collection of information and tools
- Expanding and maintaining networks – nationally and at EU level
- Coordinating inter-ministerially on relevant international and national initiatives and strategies, and coordinating operational implementation by the agencies
Key areas and implementation
Two areas are currently the main focus of the NCP-IP’s work. A particular priority is to raise the profile of women in the field of intellectual property and knowledge valorisation and to provide them with targeted support. The second priority is the implementation of the European Codes on Knowledge Valorisation – concrete measures are currently being developed on the topics of ‘management of intellectual assets’, ‘standardisation’, ‘cooperation between industry and academia’ and ‘public participation’. In doing so, the NCP-IP works closely with national and European experts.
The strategic and operational objectives of the NCP-IP are implemented through a series of projects and measures, which are regularly evaluated and revised. Three activities are central to this:
- Intellectual Property Agreement Guide (IPAG) – Annotated model contracts for collaboration between academia and industry.
- Open Innovation Toolbox – Tools and information for fair open innovation processes on an equal footing.
- Services and events – Sharing intelligence and relevant knowledge with the community.