NÚCLEOS DE INOVAÇÃO TECNOLÓGICA DOS INSTITUTOS FEDERAIS COMO INSTRUMENTO DE FOMENTO A INOVAÇÃO TECNOLÓGICA NO BRASIL

<p><span>As key agents responsible for managing scientific and technological outputs within the Federal Institutes of Education (FI), the Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) play a vital role in fostering intellectual development, thereby advancing science and technology across Brazil. This study seeks to characterize the activities of TTO within FIs, particularly in relation to research development, intellectual property management, and their contributions to promoting innovation and technology transfer (TT). Of the 38 existing FIs in Brazil, 15 participated in the survey, which involved administering a questionnaire designed to gather structural and performance-related data concerning the TTOs. The findings reveal that the average operational duration of the TTO is approximately 7.33 years, with an average workforce of 5.6 employees, often constrained by limited infrastructure within the FIs. Moreover, the most utilized TT mechanisms were found to be: 28.6% through contracts or agreements with other educational and/or research promotion institutions, 25.9% through the establishment of technology-based incubators, and 20% via training courses. Nevertheless, the frequency of industry-academia partnerships remains notably low. In conclusion, one of the primary activities of the TTO is the formation of partnerships with other institutions, either through formal agreements or the creation of technological support spaces. It is imperative to invest in enhancing the structure of TTO to better safeguard the intellectual property of FI and facilitate TT, thereby contributing to national economic development.</span></p>