Research teams face several challenges when bringing innovation to market. Here is how expert support action can help.
Although Europe accounts for 20% of global research investment and produces one-third of all scientific publications, there is a limited capacity within Europe to convert scientific breakthroughs into usable results and industrial and commercial successes. The European Union has the ultimate aim of maximizing the impact of Research and Innovation (R&I) public investment, and the beneficiaries of the Framework Programmes grants are the best placed for contributing to this goal by maximizing the impact of their own research.
Why should research teams aim to a successful innovation uptake?
The ultimate goal of research is to make a positive difference, and successful uptake ensures that research outcomes reach and benefit the intended stakeholders and end-users. By transitioning from the research stage to practical applications, innovations can address real-world problems, improve people’s lives, and contribute to social, economic, and environmental progress. Besides contributing to societal goals, successful innovation uptake can pave the way to various tangible benefits:
- Providing international and interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities
- Attracting new talent to join your teams
- Improving access to other funding prospects
- Generating new sources of income
- Policy impact: improving current and/or help shaping future legislation
Why is this not happening?
There are several challenges that research teams face when it comes to bringing innovation to market. Often, these are related to market validation, lack of funding and resources, intellectual property protection, technology readiness, industry engagement and collaboration, regulatory and compliance considerations, go-to-market vision and planning and resistance to change and adoption.
Overcoming these challenges requires a combination of entrepreneurial skills, business acumen, strategic partnerships, funding support, and perseverance. Research teams can benefit from seeking mentorship, engaging with industry experts, leveraging innovation support programs, and building multidisciplinary collaborations to navigate these challenges effectively.
At META Group, we work with innovators, research organisations, SMEs and public authorities to identify the gaps and support innovation uptake by answering a set of challenges:
- Evaluating toles & responsibilities: who takes the lead in the innovation uptake process of a specific research result?
- How are ownership and IP managed?
- Correct identification and “packaging” of key exploitable results
- Identifying the correct end-users and end-customers
- Involving all stakeholders
- Designing a successful dissemination and go-to-market strategy
Why expert support is important
Specialized expert support is crucial for researchers and innovators for several reasons. Here are some of the benefits that it can provide:
Domain Knowledge and Expertise: Specialized experts possess in-depth knowledge and expertise in specific fields or disciplines. They understand the nuances, current trends, and challenges within a particular domain. Researchers and innovators can benefit from their insights, guidance, and technical knowledge, enabling them to navigate complex problems, explore new avenues, and make informed decisions. Expert support ensures that researchers and innovators have access to the latest developments and best practices within their respective fields.
Validation and Quality Assurance: Specialized experts can provide validation and quality assurance for research and innovation projects. Their expertise allows them to assess the rigor, reliability, and validity of research methodologies, experimental designs, and data analysis techniques. By receiving expert input and feedback, researchers and innovators can enhance the credibility and robustness of their work, increasing its potential impact and acceptance within the scientific or innovation community.
Mentorship and Guidance: Specialized experts can serve as mentors and guides for researchers and innovators. They can offer advice on project planning, experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation. Their experience and insights help researchers and innovators avoid common pitfalls, overcome challenges, and identify opportunities for improvement. Mentorship from specialized experts can foster professional growth, accelerate learning, and instill best practices in research and innovation processes.
Networking and Collaboration Opportunities: Specialized experts often have extensive networks and connections within their respective fields. They can facilitate networking and collaboration opportunities for researchers and innovators, enabling them to connect with peers, industry partners, potential collaborators, and funding agencies. These networks can open doors to collaborative research projects, access to resources, and opportunities for funding or commercialization.
Access to Funding and Resources: Specialized experts are often aware of funding opportunities, grants, and resources that are specifically tailored to their domain. They can provide guidance on identifying and applying for relevant funding sources. Moreover, they may have access to specialized facilities, equipment, and infrastructure that can support the research or innovation process. Expert support can help researchers and innovators tap into these resources, increasing their chances of securing funding and obtaining the necessary tools for their work.
Industry Relevance and Market Insights: Specialized experts often have connections with industry professionals and possess insights into market trends and demands. For innovators seeking to commercialize their work, expert support can help align research outcomes with market needs, identify potential customers or partners, and develop strategies for market entry. By leveraging the industry expertise of specialized experts, researchers and innovators can increase the relevance and applicability of their work, enhancing its commercial viability.
Peer Review and Publication Support: Specialized experts are often engaged in peer review processes for research articles and grant proposals. Their input and feedback can help researchers and innovators refine their manuscripts and proposals, improving the chances of acceptance and securing funding. Expert support can provide valuable insights on research design, methodology, analysis, and interpretation, ensuring that the work meets the standards of the scientific community.
Specialized expert support is essential for researchers and innovators to leverage domain-specific knowledge, receive validation and quality assurance, access funding and resources, benefit from mentorship and guidance, and tap into valuable networks and collaborations. The involvement of specialized experts enhances the rigor, relevance, and impact of research and innovation projects, increasing their chances of success and enabling meaningful contributions to their respective fields.
At META Group, we have a long history in providing effective training and coaching, tools and strategies to support teams of researchers and entrepreneurs in creating knowledge intensive companies.
Our development framework and coaching method provide a structured and systematized approach to working with innovators. These training programmes have been developed over 20 years of working with individuals and teams in all the critical areas of their work: capacity building, research valorisation, financing, and go-to-market.
Contact us to learn more about the programmes and support actions that META Group designs and implements to support researchers and innovators.
FAQs
- How should research teams prioritize which areas to seek expert support for, given limited resources?
When research teams have limited resources, they should prioritize seeking expert support in areas where the potential impact on their project is highest, such as grant writing, project management, or specialized technical fields.
- What are some examples of successful projects where expert support significantly impacted research outcomes?
Successful projects often see significant benefits from expert involvement in refining methodologies, expanding networks, and improving funding opportunities.
- How can research teams ensure they maintain autonomy and ownership while incorporating external expert advice?
To maintain autonomy, research teams can establish clear boundaries and ensure that expert advice complements their core vision rather than dictating it. This allows teams to retain control while benefiting from external insights.