Czechia advances knowledge transfer reforms with PSF support

Czechia's research and innovation (R&I) system has undergone major changes since the 1990s, with the 2008 reform marking a turning point in governance and institutional responsibilities. The country has a well-developed research landscape, including 54 public research institutes under the Czech Academy of Sciences, 26 public, two state, and 26 private universities, and 14 Regional Innovation Centres (RICs) supporting smart specialisation strategies (S3) at the regional level. Knowledge Transfer Offices (KTOs) have been expanding since the 1990s, creating a network of 39 offices that facilitate collaboration between research and industry. Over the past two decades, Czechia has benefited from significant public investment, with European Structural and Investment Funds playing a key role in modernising infrastructure and strengthening research capacity. National programmes such as GAMA and SIGMA have supported commercialisation efforts, while the Technological Incubation Programme has contributed to the creation of over 250 start-ups since 2022. Despite this progress, knowledge transfer remains an area with untapped potential. While there are successful examples of research commercialisation, they are not yet widespread. The gap between research institutions and businesses, the fragmentation of regional efforts, and the absence of a coherent national knowledge valorisation strategy continue to limit progress.