5th RTD Framework Programme

The Network of Innovation Relay Centres (IRC) is accomodated within the European Commission's Innovation/SMEs Programme as Accompanying Measurement of the 5^th Framework Programme. Like movers and shakers of innovation, the IRCs have built a leading European network focusing on transnational technology transfer (TTT). The network spans 30 countries including the EU, the newly associated countries (NACs), Iceland, Israel, Norway and Switzerland.

IRC Hungary has been working since 2000 as the successor of FEMIRC Hungary (Fellow Member of Innovation Relay Centres). It has set up as independent business and technology consulting organisation. It has been a consortium leaded by the National Technical Information Centre and Library (OMIKK) — from 1^st July 2001, Budapest University of Techniques and Economics - National Technical Information Centre and Library (BME-OMIKK). The two other Principal Contractors have been the National Innovation and Business Centre (INNOSTART) and the Institute of International Technology (NETI) as partners. It changed on the 1^st July 2002, when three subcontractors: TMB Hungary Technology Transfer and Software Development Engineering Ltd. (TMB Hungary), TREbAG Property and Project-management Ltd. and VIVIDUS Technical Consulting and Marketing Ltd. also became Principal Contractors and the consortium expanded to six partners.

IRC Hungary offers technology transfer oriented services for companies, especially for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Universities and research institutes may also benefit from its services by transferring results to industry.

The goal of IRC Hungary as well as the goal of the whole IRC network is to enhance European business competitiveness by strengthening the technology and innovation base of its SMEs. IRC Hungary fulfils its mission by focusing on its main tasks:

• Inward and outward transnational technology transfer
• Dissemination of Community and EUREKA research results
• Stimulation of companies' capacity to adopt new technologies
• Promotion of common transnational innovation initiatives (e.g. in innovation financing, start up or intellectual property rights together with the IPR and LIFT Helpdesks)
• Provision of information on the Innovation Actions of FP 5, FP6 and
• Signposting potential participants of EU research projects to National Contact Points.

The IRC Network proved to be a well functioning network of technology brokers across Europe which, as a learning network, is consistently striving to improve. The growing numbers of transnational technology transfer cases reflect its economic impact