Strengthen multidisciplinary research in RTD centres
Strengthen multidisciplinary research in RTD centres to address the industry’s need for applied knowledge effectively.
In the pursuit of innovation, food companies need knowledge which connects insights from different scientific disciplines with the requirements determined by emerging market opportunities. For RTD centres to fulfil this industry need, the following priorities have been put forward. Research actors should reinforce their focus on areas of interest to the industry. Providing financial incentives for researchers to work with industry is a promising instrument to stimulate this. Further, to offer solutions to the industry, different scientific disciplines should be gathered around these areas of interest.
However, RTD centres should also take initiatives aimed at policy makers and companies. In several SORs, a lack of policy attention to applied research has been
identified. Here, researchers should actively support policy makers in the development of research strategies.
Further, measures should be taken to create an open attitude in
companies towards RTD collaboration (demonstration projects). Some SORs see a potential, mediating role of industry-leaders and innovators to bridge the gap with industry (networking activities).
These measures are already included in the activity range of some regional policy makers, but in the SORs it is argued that RTD centres should also take such initiatives.
