2016 ANNUAL REVIEW Ministry of Science and Technology

In conjunction with the implementation of the Fundamental Science and Technology Act, after January 22, 1999, the right to manage and extend the results of MOST-funded specific-topic research projects, such as through patent application and technology licensing, has, as a rule, been granted to the implementing organization. In view of the important role played by academic research organizations in the development and application of knowledge, MOST drafted the Guidelines for the Funding of the Management and Extension of Academic Research and Development Results in order to help implementing organizations boost the effectiveness of R&D results management and extension, and has adopted many performance- oriented funding and award measures since 2003. In the case of R&D results resulting from MOST- funded projects, when the implementing organization applies for an invention patent, subsidies during the application stage will cover 40% of expenses, and subsidies covering additional 40% of application expenses and 80% of maintenance expenses during the first 3 years can be obtained after the patent has been received. In order to further boost the industrial application of academic research organizations' invention Management and Extension of R&D Results Ⅷ patents, the Guidelines were revised on June 5, 2015 in order to adjust funding ratios. Funding is now provided for 60% of patent application expenses, and for 50% of patent certificate acquisition and maintenance expenses during the first three years. All academic research organizations that have instituted sound management mechanisms are now eligible to initiate invention patent application, maintenance, and extension cases, which will induce research organizations to strengthen their internal management mechanisms and make their performance management more rigorous. Subsidies covering invention patent expenses were provided in 6,600 cases involving the results of funded projects during 2016. Furthermore, to encourage technological diffusion, project-implementing organizations need pay only a certain percentage of income from R&D results to the funding agency (these payments are included in the Science and Technology Development Fund in accordance with budget procedures); this percentage is 20% in the case of schools and government research organizations, and 40% in the case of companies and other research organizations. MOST's royalty income from R&D results was approximately NT$52 million in 2016. Support for Academic Research Ministry of Science and Technology 81