ACUP presents 2014 report on Research and Innovation Indicators
<p>The study shows that competitive and non-competitive funds for research have fallen 19%</p>
According to the Report on Research and Innovation Indicators 2014 compiled by the Catalan Association of Public Universities (ACUP), Catalan universities have maintained their level of scientific production despite having fewer resources for R&D.
The report, presented in December at the University of Barcelona (UB), analyzes resources, production and knowledge transfer. Although competitive and non-competitive funds have dropped from €277 millions to €224 millions –down 19% from the previous report– universities continue to produce more than half of all research in the Catalan arena.
Scientific production in Catalonia, led by universities, makes up 0.7% of global scientific production, taking into account that 47% of this was generated with international collaboration. Furthermore, looking at quality not quantity, the Catalan research system, along with those in Great Britain and Belgium, is part of the small group of countries with high-impact research and low R&D expenditure, as compared to the country’s GDP.
To assess knowledge transfer, the ACUP report considers three indicators: generation of patents, creation of technology-based companies (spin-offs) and university/business chairs. So, patent applications have increased 33% and, on the whole, knowledge transfer has generated income of nearly €71 millions.