Technology transfer and development of SME's in Lithuania

The national environment of innovative activities, innovative performance of Lithuanian scientific institutions and SME's, the role of Kaunas University of Technology in the sphere of technology transfer and SME's support are the main topics of this article. Information about scientific research projects organized in Lithuania is provided. It is indicated that mainly such projects are executed in 14 state universities and 29 institutes and are financed by: taking participation in international programs; making contracts with firms; grants (projects supported by State Science and Study Fund); assignations (from the national budget). The structure and dynamics of financial support will be illustrated by the example of KTU (Kaunas University of Technology). Lithuanian system of the patents for inventions and main related indicators are presented in the report. Technology transfer is mainly performed through Innovation centers, Scientific Technology parks and Business incubators. Information about localization of these structures in Lithuania is also provided. Main governmental programs (SME's support and Export inducement program), through which the Technology Transfer activities in Lithuania are supported, are discussed in the report. Altogether, the examples of projects that are supported from international programs (PHARE, Transform - German State program) are presented. At the end of report the main problems of RTD and TT organization in Lithuania are presented along with the possible ways of solution.