Innovation Procurement in Big Science: From Needs to Award
Full Description
Innovation procurement is a strategic instrument that enables public organisations — including Big Science Organisations (BSOs) — to procure solutions that do not yet exist on the market. This course, developed under the INPROCAP Horizon Europe project, translates the project’s training sessions and expert-led webinars into a structured, self-paced online learning programme.
Participants will progress through the full innovation procurement cycle: understanding the legal and policy framework, identifying and articulating unmet needs, conducting market analysis, designing and running Open Market Consultation (OMC), structuring a business case for innovation procurement, and mastering advanced procedures — Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP), Innovation Partnership, Competitive Dialogue, and Competitive Procedure with Negotiation.
The course is built on real cases from EuXFEL, CERN, and other leading BSOs, and combines recorded sessions from live webinars, downloadable training manuals, self-assessment quizzes, and a final certification exam.
Target Audiences
- Procurement officers and legal staff in Big Science Organisations
- Industrial Liaison Officers (ILOs)
- Startups and companies exploring public sector innovation procurement
- Policy professionals and R&D managers
Learning Outcomes
On completion, participants will be able to:
- Explain the EU legal framework for innovation procurement and key procedure types
- Identify and document unmet technological needs using structured methodologies
- Conduct or commission market analysis and Open Market Consultation
- Design a business case for innovation procurement
- Structure and manage a Pre-Commercial Procurement phase-by-phase
- Apply the Innovation Partnership procedure from initiation to award
- Run or participate in Competitive Dialogue and Competitive Procedure with Negotiation
- Manage IP rights in the context of innovation procurement contracts
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 6 Lessons
- 20 Hours
- Section 1 — Introduction to Innovation Procurement & Training ManualsThis opening section provides a comprehensive introduction to innovation procurement — what it is, why it matters, and what instruments are available to public buyers. It covers the full landscape of EU innovation procurement tools, from Pre-Commercial Procurement and Innovation Partnership through to market-facing instruments (PMC, functional specifications, value engineering) and flexible procedures (Competitive Dialogue, Competitive Procedure with Negotiation). The section closes with a presentation of the INPROCAP training manuals, the learning pathway, and the certification framework.By completing this section, learners will be able to:- Explain the EU legal definition of innovation procurement and its three interpretations - Distinguish between PCP, PPI, Innovation Partnership, and when to use each - Describe how PMC, functional specifications, and value engineering encourage innovation in procurement - Differentiate between Competitive Dialogue and Competitive Procedure with Negotiation - Navigate the INPROCAP training pathway and understand certification requirementsNumber of lessons: 6Estimated duration: ~45 minutesQuiz: Section 1 Quiz — Introduction Check (5 questions, 70% pass mark)7
- 1.1Lesson 1.1 — Welcome & INPROCAP Project Overview5 Minutes
- 1.2Lesson 1.2 — What is Innovation Procurement? Definitions & EU Framework12 Minutes
- 1.3Lesson 1.3 — PCP, PPI & Innovation Partnership15 Minutes
- 1.4Lesson 1.4 — PMC, Functional Specifications & Value Engineering10 Minutes
- 1.5Lesson 1.5 — Competitive Dialogue & Competitive Procedure with Negotiatio5 Minutes
- 1.6Lesson 1.6 — Training Manuals13 Minutes
- 1.7Section 1 Quiz — Introduction Check7 Questions
Instructor
