A bridge between academia and non-academic world

The ability to translate scientific findings into tangible innovations is becoming increasingly important for Europe’s competitiveness. Yet, particularly in so-called widening countries – regions with innovation ecosystems still in the process of development – the path from research to application often remains unclear. This is precisely where the EU project ERA SHUTTLE comes in: it strengthens research and innovation capacities of researchers and research managers by seconding them to non-academic organisations. Three university staff members from Malta and Croatia were guests at Steinbeis in 2025 and report on their formative experiences.

ERA SHUTTLE brings together academic partners from Poland, Croatia and Malta with non-academic stakeholders in advanced EU economies. Researchers work as secondees for 3-6 months in organisations such as the Association of European Science & Technology Transfer Professionals (ASTP), the CERIC-ERIC research network or the Steinbeis Transfer Hub Berlin. The aim is to build their practical skills in innovation management, technology transfer and knowledge exploitation.

As the lead German partner, Steinbeis Wissens- und Technologietransfer GmbH (SWiTT) coordinates project activities in Germany and the placement of seconded staff in Steinbeis companies. In 2025, the first three secondees were hosted at the Steinbeis Europa Zentrum, the Steinbeis Transfer Center Digital Workspace and the Steinbeis School of Sustainable Innovation and Transformation. The matching of the secondees with suitable Steinbeis companies was carefully tailored to their individual interests and development goals, enabling the three ‘temporary colleagues’ to gain an insight into various aspects of innovation practice – from European project management and digital transformation to the commercialisation of technologies. In 2026 and 2027, further seconded researchers will be guests within the Steinbeis network – demonstrating that both participants and hosts benefit from the international exchange.

ERA SHUTTLE is based on the conviction that sustainable knowledge transfer arises primarily through practical experience. In addition to the secondments, the programme includes workshops, summer schools, career tandems and ongoing mentoring. Initial results are already showing that participants return not only with new skills, but also with a broader understanding of their role in the European innovation ecosystem.

Three perspectives, one common goal

The experiences of Angie Mifsud and Andrea Bondin (University of Malta) as well as Tea Knez (University of Split) illustrate the programme’s impact. Despite their different academic backgrounds, they are united by the goal of acquiring skills that are often neglected in everyday university life: market understanding, international project practice and engaging with non-academic audiences.

For Angie Mifsud, the secondment marked a turning point. As a research manager in the field of emotion regulation, she wanted to bring her work more strongly into practical application. At the Steinbeis School of Sustainable Innovation and Transformation, she learnt how to turn ideas into marketable offerings: “I was taught step by step how to bring my product to market,” she explains, “how to create a Business Model Canvas, conduct market research, or develop an MVP and test it on the market before developing the full product.” This lean start-up methodology – widespread in start-up circles but often unfamiliar to academic staff – fundamentally changed her approach. “This approach was a game-changer for me and so effective because it really puts market orientation at the centre,” emphasises Angie Mifsud. For her, it was precisely this shift in perspective that was crucial: moving away from pure content creation towards a clear focus on demand, value and marketability. The secondment helped her to think about her expertise not only in scientific terms but also from an entrepreneurial perspective.

Andrea Bondin pursued a different focus: he wanted to gain technical know-how and experience in international project contexts. At the Steinbeis Transfer Center Digital Workspace, he worked on applications in robotics and extended reality. Working in multicultural teams was particularly formative for him – a skill that is becoming increasingly important in global innovation processes.

Tea Knez, was interested in how research findings have an impact outside the academic world. At the Steinbeis Europa Zentrum, she worked intensively on exploitation strategies and the involvement of relevant stakeholders. She gained insights into how project results can be tailored to specific target groups, communicated effectively and made usable in the long term. Her experience thus addresses a key issue facing many EU projects: results should go beyond the final report and offer practical applicability for business and society.

Challenges as part of the learning process

The move abroad also meant uncertainty for all three. Angie Mifsud had to organise her family situation, particularly childcare arrangements. Andrea Bondin found the language barrier in everyday life more challenging than expected. Whilst communication in the workplace went smoothly, outside of work English was far less widely spoken than in Malta. Tea Knez describes the transition from an academic to a more application-oriented work culture as particularly formative and demanding.

Yet, these experiences also highlight the value of such mobility programmes. They not only convey new knowledge but also require participants to navigate unfamiliar situations. Clear structures, reliable support and a willingness to embrace new ways of working are crucial in this regard.

Practical methods as the key

A key added value of the secondments lies in the concrete methods that are conveyed. Angie Mifsud particularly highlights the structured product development approach, which shows her a clear path from idea to market-ready offering. Andrea Bondin emphasises the importance of regular feedback and coordination processes, which support both professional and personal development. Through her work in disseminating and exploiting the EcoDaLLi project, Tea Knez, in turn, gained clarity on how to prepare and conduct workshops for knowledge transfer.

These examples illustrate that it is often not so much individual specific content as working and thinking methods, as well as processes, that have a lasting impact. Those who learn to involve target groups at an early stage, to reflect on progress transparently and to gear results towards practical application acquire skills that extend far beyond the individual project. This is precisely where the strength of the Steinbeis approach lies: innovation is not taught in the abstract, but experienced through practical application.

Knowledge transfer with a multiplier effect

The success of ERA SHUTTLE is particularly evident in the transfer of acquired knowledge back to the home institutions. Angie Mifsud developed workshops together with her host organisation, which she presented internationally and intends to expand further. Andrea Bondin applies his newly acquired skills directly in his research and supports colleagues as a point of contact for robotics-related topics. Tea Knez integrates her experiences into ongoing EU projects and actively contributes them to institutional discussions on the exploitation of results.

This creates a multiplier effect: knowledge does not spread in isolation, but through collaboration, projects and networks – and continues to have an impact far beyond the actual secondment. These programmes not only generate individual learning outcomes but also strengthen entire institutions in the medium and long term.

Personal development as a decisive factor

In addition to professional skills, all participants report personal growth. Independence, intercultural competence and increased self-confidence are among the most significant outcomes. These skills are crucial for working within international innovation systems. They enable individuals to shape complex collaborations, deal with uncertainties and adopt new perspectives.

This personal gain is often underestimated in mobility programmes. Living and working in another country not only broadens their professional horizons but also expand their own understanding of their capacity for action. New environments, different working cultures and daily life outside familiar routines foster adaptability, initiative and resilience.

A model with a future

Previous experiences confirm the basic premise of ERA SHUTTLE: structured talent exchange can sustainably strengthen innovation systems. At the same time, challenges remain – such as language barriers, organisational effort and the long-term embedding of knowledge within institutions. The project’s holistic approach – combining mobility, further training and network building – specifically addresses these issues.

The importance of strong partnerships between academic and non-academic stakeholders is particularly evident here. Host organisations such as Steinbeis do not merely serve as placement sites; they create learning environments in which knowledge transfer is actively practised. Participants’ experiences to date show that the success of such programmes depends significantly on how seriously support, openness and connectivity are taken. And the integration into the teams at Steinbeis was described by all participants as open, supportive and professional.

ERA SHUTTLE thus demonstrates that successful innovation depends not only on excellent research, but also on the ability to translate knowledge into practice. Programmes of this kind invest not only in individual careers, but in the future of the European Research and Innovation Area as a whole. They build bridges between science and application, between institutions and countries, and between ideas and implementation.