University of Montreal, Laval University and ETS are to combine their tech transfer operations within a Quebec-wide initiative due to launch next spring.

Three university tech transfer offices in Quebec are to be swallowed up by a nonprofit umbrella organisation set up by the Canadian province’s Ministry of Economy and Innovation. University of Montreal, Laval University and graduate engineering school ETS will lose their TTOs and have their services integrated into an as-yet-unnamed body charged with promoting research across Quebec. The shake-up is expected to take effect by March 31, 2021. In addition to the three founding stakeholders, other Quebecois universities and research centres will be able to pay a fee to access the TTO. The provincial TTO will be autonomous of the Quebecois government, reporting to an independent board of directors. The ministry expects to confirm a location for the new initiative in autumn 2020. Additional funding will be assigned to the TTO to nurture fledgling technologies and to promote relationships between businesses and academia. The ministry also plans to create a seed fund to help drive inventions forward. It argues the new structure will improve Quebec’s innovation output and access to funding while removing overheads currently borne by institutions operating independent tech transfer offices. Jean-Pierre D’Auteuil, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, told Montreal in Technology: “We understand that the context creates a climate of uncertainty for employees. “The government not only plans to continue supporting the promotion of public research in Quebec, but it also plans to increase the amounts available and integrate new tools to increase socio-economic benefits. “In this context, the expertise of staff in promoting public research will obviously be sought and several opportunities to participate in the new development model will be offered.”

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