Open science practices at Centria University of Applied Sciences

• Open operating models are also possible in RDI projects that are implemented in cooperation with companies.
• To facilitate the planning and implementation of a business cooperation project, a recommendation and a checklist have been drawn up in cooperation between the Finnish scientific community and the business community.
• The recommendation describes how research results and data created in collaboration with companies can be utilised and/or disseminated safely, efficiently and as openly as possible.
• The recommendation also includes aspects related to commercialisation. Centria's RDI guidelines on the commercialisation of results can be found in MFiles ID13943.
• Open the recommendation and checklist here: Open science recommendation and checklist for research, development and innovation activities carried out in cooperation between research organisations and companies

The possibilities of commercialising the results of RDI projects must be kept in mind from project preparation to the time after the end of the project. A well-planned commercialisation process and commercialisation opportunities identified in good time improve the impact of the project, promote the rooting of new innovations and clarify cooperation with business and working life partners.

The impact and significance of publicly funded projects will improve significantly if the results achieved can be implemented after the project has ended. In this way, they also benefit as many people as possible. The openness of RDI activities supports this goal.

Centria's RDI guidelines on the commercialisation of results can be found in Centraali.

More information:

• Tutkimustulosten kaupallistaminen - Jyväskylän yliopisto
• Product and service design: Commercialisation - Yritys Suomi

Filing an invention disclosure is the first step in the process of commercialising an invention or idea.

Before submitting an invention disclosure, it is advisable to contact the RDI manager. In this case, the novelty or patentability of the idea and other matters related to protection can be investigated in advance.

Invention disclosures

The Act on the Right to Inventions in Higher Education Institutions obliges persons employed by universities of applied sciences to submit an invention disclosure to their employer immediately after making an invention. The notification must contain sufficient information about the invention and its authors. In addition, a position is taken on whether the invention has been created in open research, contract research or in some other situation. On the basis of the notification, Centria will issue a counter-notification within two months, in which the university of applied sciences' view of the manner and circumstances of the invention and the rights to the invention will be assessed. The invention disclosure can be found in Centraali.

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It is a good idea to agree in advance on what kind of rights the parties have to the resulting results, but at the latest after the invention has been created, it is essential to find out who owns the invention.

• According to the Patent Act, the right to an invention and its utilisation belongs to the inventor. According to labour legislation, on the other hand, the employer has the right to the results of the employee's work. The Employee Inventions Act aims to balance these two acts.
• The transfer of rights based on an employment relationship is a significant exception to the general principle that the creator of intellectual property (e.g. inventor, designer, writer) owns the rights to his creation. The Employee Inventions Act has been enacted to safeguard research and product development in the business sector.
• The Act on Employee Inventions is applied to inventions made by a person in an employment relationship or in a public service relationship that can be protected by a patent. However, the Act does not apply to the staff of universities and higher education institutions. The Act on Higher Education Inventions is based on the premise that, under the Act, a university or higher education institution has the right to its researchers' inventions that have been made in research projects funded by external partners.
• The application of the Employee Inventions Act or the Higher Education Inventions Act does not require that the invention be patented, although it must be patentable.

Patents are the most traditional way to protect one's own expertise.

A patent is a right granted on application to prohibit others from professionally manufacturing, importing or selling a patented product or to apply a patented method during the term of the patent. A patent can be granted for an invention that can be used industrially and that is new and substantially different from previous inventions. The patent is valid for a maximum of 20 years and is validated by paying annual fees. A patent is a regional means of protection and must be applied for in all countries where the invention is to be exploited or where competing manufacturing is expected.

Patent information

• PRH, Finnish Patent and Registration Office
• Espacenet - Global Patent Database
• Patinfo - Finnish patents
• Industrial property rights as a business asset e-learning material

Business Finland creates new growth by helping companies internationalise and by supporting and funding innovations. Financing is available for different phases of business, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. Startup funding can be granted to companies that have been in business for less than 5 years.

There are different types of funding aimed at companies. For example, Young Innovative Companies funding can be applied for the comprehensive development of international business, e.g. for strengthening the team, developing the business model and growth strategy, and opening up new markets.

The Research for New Business (TUTLI) funding, on the other hand, is intended for research groups and researchers in research organisations who have the desire to build new business from their research and commercialise the ideas generated by the research. At the same time, the researcher will be able to increase their own commercialisation skills.

• More information on the Business Finland website.

The Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences Arene, the Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities UNIFI and the Federation of Finnish Enterprises have published joint entrepreneurship recommendations for higher education institutions

The aim of the recommendations is to provide universities of applied sciences and universities with tools for promoting entrepreneurship and developing cooperation.
 

• Entrepreneurship recommendations for higher education institutions 
• Entrepreneurship playbook for higher education institutions
• Entrepreneurship playbook (to be filled in)

Yrittäjyyttä suunnittelevalle ja yrityksen perustajalle on tarjolla runsaasti tietoa ja erilaisia neuvontapalveluista. 

Aloittavat yritykset voivat esimerkiksi saada tietyin edellytyksin myönnettävää starttirahaa.

• Yritys-Suomi - Yrityspalvelut yhdessä osoitteessa
• Starttiraha