222 projects were surveyed to explore their dissemination and exploitation practices with innovation outputs.  The survey also explored the enablers and barriers to success for projects from the perspective of individual SME and RTD participants.

96 individual responses were received representing 58 projects involving 51 SMEs and 32 projects involving 27 RTDs. Accounting for duplication we can say that 84 projects responded. This was a survey response of 38%, which was very good for a survey of this kind.  We are very grateful to all those who participated.

Four companies featured in multiple projects as RTDs.  Four companies featured in multiple projects as SMEs. 6 Projects submitted RTD and SME inputs providing a dyadic view of specific cases. 

Following a project meeting in August 2007 and in synergy with current EU objectives, it was decided that selection of best practice projects would be based solely on the benefits accrued for the SMEs.  The RTD data set could be used to inform wider conclusions on appropriate methodologies for RTD-SME collaboration for a subsequent Handbook.

24 best practice projects were then selected as per the project brief based on the applied rating and subsequent analysis.

These best practice projects were:

Further work is now being carried out to elucidate a methodology of good practice from these projects’ experiences towards a Use&Diffuse Handbook to be published later during 2009.