Economic and societal impacts of publicly funded R&D: evidence from project leaders in the Czech Republic
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Public research and development (R&D) funding plays a crucial role in driving innovation and economic growth in Europe, supported by multilevel frameworks including EU-wide and national funding schemes. This study investigates the experiences and perceptions of participants engaged in publicly funded R&D projects administered by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA ČR), focusing on economic and societal impacts. A comprehensive survey of 203 project leaders from diverse organisations examined three key questions: preferences for project structures, expected economic and societal impacts, and barriers and enablers in realizing project outcomes. Findings indicate a distinct advantage of collaborative projects, especially university-industry collaborations, in generating significant economic benefits such as new products, market expansion, and job creation alongside societal benefits, including skills development and environmental improvements. SMEs emerged as primary drivers of commercialization, while research organisations contributed to knowledge-based outputs. Barriers such as bureaucracy, intellectual property negotiations, and certification delays constrain impact realization. The study recommends flexible, impact-driven funding mechanisms prioritizing company-led collaborations and tailored support for commercialization and societal value creation. These insights contribute to enhancing the design of public R&D funding policies to maximize innovation impact and sustainability.
Source: Future Business Journal
Language: English
Topic: Innovation Policy and R&D
Subfield: Economics and Econometrics
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7154614790