When the new Commission is appointed, it will find a raft of proposals waiting for it – all aimed at putting research, development and innovation at the heart of policy.

Dundee University in Scotland has begun a programme to translate basic research in biomedical sciences into new products and treatments.

The UK government has called on universities to make a greater contribution to the economy, widen access, and strengthen their research capacity.

A new study of university technology licensing in the US shows a $187 billion dollar positive impact on GNP and a $457 billion addition to gross industrial output.