The intensification grants for transfer activities drive the consolidation of new TECNIO and Pre TECNIO groups at the UB
The University of Barcelona (UB) continues to strengthen its commitment to knowledge transfer through the intensification grants for transfer activities, an initiative that has evolved in recent years to adapt to the needs of research groups and today’s innovation environment.
Promoted by the UB Vice-Rector’s Office for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Transfer, these grants aim to reinforce teams accredited as TECNIO centres while also supporting emerging groups seeking to begin the path toward this accreditation.
In this year’s call, the UB will allocate up to €75,000 to encourage transfer activities through a maximum of 15 grants of €5,000 each, divided into three categories: TECNIO UB, pre TECNIO UB and pre TECNIO UB 2025. Pre TECNIO groups will also receive support from a strategic transfer advisor.
New TECNIO groups at the University of Barcelona
Recently, Acció has awarded the TECNIO seal to two UB research groups:
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ITMAS (Multidisciplinary Technological Innovation in Food and Health), led by Professor M. Carmen Vidal from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences.
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VIRUSENT (Enteric Viruses), led by Professor Rosa Maria Pintó from the Faculty of Biology.
The TECNIO seal identifies knowledge transfer agents within the Catalan R&D&I system. These agents stand out for their distinctive technological capabilities and extensive experience in R&D&I projects with companies and/or institutions.
The ITMAS and VIRUSENT groups were selected as pre TECNIO in the 2023–2024 intensification grant call for transfer activities. With this accreditation, they complete the consolidation process in which they have been supported through the intensification grants.
With these new additions, the UB increases its TECNIO UB groups from 9 to 11 — growth that reflects the success and continuity of the programme.
A sustained commitment to knowledge transfer
The intensification grants were created to support groups with strong collaboration activity with companies. Over the years, the programme has evolved to adapt to changing needs. Initially focused on research, the grants were redirected toward knowledge transfer, promoting the creation and consolidation of groups capable of generating real impact in the socioeconomic sphere.
As explained by Dr. Mercè Segarra, Vice-Rector for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Transfer at the UB, “this shift made it possible to focus on those groups that, in addition to conducting excellent research, have a high potential to generate impact in the productive sector and in society.”
Later, a second line of support was opened to identify and accompany emerging groups with transfer potential through the new pre TECNIO category. The aim of this modality is to prepare groups to obtain TECNIO accreditation by providing strategic support and personalised advice.
Pre TECNIO groups are accompanied by a specialist who supports them in designing and developing a strategic plan and a marketing plan, as well as in launching and implementing a quality management system—key elements to consolidate themselves as excellent transfer groups and achieve TECNIO accreditation.
Tangible results and sustained growth
Since the 2023–2024 academic year, the programme has led to six pre TECNIO groups, four of which have already obtained TECNIO accreditation, while two continue working toward it. In addition, these grants have helped structure teams more effectively, improve internal cohesion and increase their transfer capacity.
According to the Vice-Rector for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Transfer, these grants “have been key to promoting a model of university that is more connected to the productive environment—one that not only generates knowledge but transforms it into concrete solutions for society.”
In the same vein, Laia Crespo, coordinator of the UB TECNIO centres and member of the Area of Contracts with Companies and Institutions and R&D&I Grants at the Bosch i Gimpera Foundation, believes that “through the pre TECNIO programme, research groups are given key tools to make the most of their potential in transfer activities, consolidating them as benchmarks in the innovation system.”
With this commitment, the University of Barcelona reaffirms its role as a driver of innovation, promoting technological transfer as an essential pillar of its research and social impact strategy.