Programme for the cooperation in differential R&D projects between Catalan and International companies.
ACCIÓ has been managing the NUCLIS programme during the last 10 years. This programme is based on grants for Local R&D Projects and International R&D Projects.
In the case of the international ones, this programme offers financial support for Catalan companies with technological cooperation projects at the international level. It allows international firms and technological centres to cooperate with local Catalan companies in order to undertake high impact and differential R&D projects together.
Depending on the countries of origin and the activities carried out, international companies and entities have different options of collaboration with Catalan companies.
The main reason to include NUCLIS as a best practice is because of the importance that many of the S34Growth regions have expressed regarding the implementation of Interregional R&D Projects.
In the near future, the beneficiaries of the implementation of this practice will be the companies/entities of the regions/countries that could participate in an International Nucli Project in the following calls.
This practice will help to reach the objectives of Catalonia within the S34Growth project but also respond to a common challenge of the Interreg project.
Resources needed
Funding resources: ERDF and own regional funds.
Human resources: in the case of Catalonia, fo the correct implementation of this programme, we need staff based in our region and also staff from an external office (ACCIÓ has 40 offices abroad that give support to the programme)
Evidence of success
The experience from Catalonia states that this kind of programmes foster R&D projects at the international level. ACCIÓ annually analyses NUCLIS results (figures depending on the sector, the technologies, number of companies, number of regions involved…). During the last 10 years, it’s stated that this instrument is a key programme to foster R&D projects in Catalonia and to foster R&D projects with other regions/countries.
Potential for learning or transfer
During the phase 1 of the S34Growth project, several regions have expressed their interest in this practice. In fact, one of the main objectives of S34Growth is to foster interregional cooperation. Currently there are several countries that are already participating in this programme and this number could be increased thanks to the S34Growth project.
The most attractive part is that each region/country covers the part of the project that will be develop in the region/country of origin. The fact that each region faces their part of the project, makes the implementation more available for the regions. Normally, the collaboration between regions is implemented through an International Agreement or a MOU.
Tags: Industry
