A survey reveals widespread approval and growing interest in the European Commission’s practical guidance tools
The European Commission’s recent survey on the uptake of the Codes of Practice for Knowledge Valorisation has revealed strong support from the research and innovation (R&I) community across Europe.
With responses from 336 research and innovation individuals and organisations covering 25 EU Member States and 19 non-EU countries, the findings confirm that these practical tools are not only relevant but also being actively used or considered for use in a wide range of research, policy, and innovation contexts.
A tool for R&I activities
The four Codes of Practice, adopted by the Commission in 2023 and 2024, provide actionable guidance to help R&I actors turn knowledge and research results into societal and economic value. They support the implementation of the Council Recommendation on the guiding principles for knowledge valorisation (adopted in December 2022), aiming to align efforts across EU countries.
The Codes cover four key areas:
- Management of intellectual assets
- Standardisation in the European Research Area
- Citizen engagement
- Industry-academia co-creation
According to the survey results, more than three-quarters of respondents find the Codes helpful for their work and in advocating for needed policy support. The most common applications include developing internal strategies, awareness-raising efforts, research projects, and performance assessments.
Growing awareness and future use
Despite their relatively recent introduction, the Codes have already had a significant impact. Sixty-one per cent of respondents reported having used or planned to use the Codes in their activities. These stakeholders encompass a diverse range of profiles, including researchers, technology transfer professionals, university administrators, startups, public bodies, and research funders.
Fifty-six per cent of respondents were unaware of the Codes before the survey. However, after reviewing the materials as part of the consultation, a significant number expressed interest in adopting them. Nearly half of these newly informed participants now plan to use the Codes in the near future.
This suggests that while awareness remains an area for improvement, the perceived value of the Codes is high among those who are newly introduced to them.
Continued engagement
The survey also highlighted an apparent willingness among stakeholders to continue contributing to the evolution of these tools. Seventy-two per cent of participants expressed interest in further engagement, offering feedback or sharing experiences to enhance the future development of the Codes.
The next phase of the Commission’s efforts will focus on collecting real-life examples of how the Codes are being used in practice. These stories will be showcased on the Knowledge Valorisation Platform and featured in upcoming Knowledge Valorisation Talks, providing inspiration and best practices for the wider community.
The call for use cases is open until October 15.
To build this repository of success stories, the Commission is calling on organisations and individuals to submit practical use cases demonstrating how the Codes have benefited their work. Submissions are open until 15 October 2025, and interested parties can participate by contacting the Commission at RTD-VALORISATION-POLICIES-IPR@ec.europa.eu.
By highlighting these examples, the EU aims to foster a more connected and effective research and innovation ecosystem, one where knowledge is not only produced but also applied for the benefit of society.
