This paper examines the changes in funding, governance, and policy context of Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs) over the past decade, and their implications for achieving their mission. RTOs have historically supported innovation in industry and public administrations, but their contribution to solving societal challenges is becoming increasingly intertwined with their mission. In response, RTOs are experimenting with new internal organizational structures, business models, and partnerships to deliver on this demanding mission within evolving and sometimes unstable funding frameworks. The paper also highlights the role of policymakers in setting the environment in which RTOs operate and determining their ability to address economic competitiveness and societal challenges.
Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs) play a crucial role in promoting innovation, economic growth, and societal progress. RTOs have a long-standing history of supporting industry and public administrations in advancing their technological capabilities. In recent years, however, their role has expanded to encompass a broader mission of addressing societal challenges, including climate change, health, and energy transition. As a result, RTOs face new challenges and opportunities in evolving and sometimes unstable funding frameworks. This paper analyzes the evolution of the funding, governance, and policy context of RTOs over the last ten years, and the implications of these changes on their ability to achieve their mission.
The paper is based on a literature review and analysis of data from publicly available sources, including reports, studies, and policy documents. The data were supplemented by interviews with RTO leaders and policymakers to gain insights into their perspectives on the evolving context of RTOs.
The paper finds that RTOs are facing new demands and opportunities to address societal challenges, which are becoming increasingly intertwined with their historical mission of supporting innovation in industry and public administrations. This shift is reflected in the changing funding, governance, and policy context of RTOs. In many cases, RTOs are now expected to deliver on both imperatives simultaneously, requiring them to experiment with new internal organizational structures, business models, and partnerships.
The paper highlights the critical role of policymakers in setting the environment in which RTOs operate and determining their ability to address economic competitiveness and societal challenges. Policymakers need to support the evolving mission of RTOs by providing stable and flexible funding, promoting effective governance structures, and creating policies that foster collaboration between RTOs, industry, academia, and civil society. In addition, policymakers need to ensure that RTOs remain accountable for their actions and maintain their research integrity.
RTOs have a crucial role to play in promoting innovation, economic growth, and societal progress. As the mission of RTOs continues to evolve, they face new challenges and opportunities to address societal challenges while supporting innovation in industry and public administrations. RTOs need to experiment with new organizational structures, business models, and partnerships to deliver on these demands within evolving funding frameworks. Policymakers need to support RTOs by creating a conducive environment that fosters collaboration and innovation while ensuring accountability and research integrity.