Innovation procurement is increasingly recognized as a powerful tool for driving progress in the Big Science sector. However, the needs of stakeholders differ — companies are looking for opportunities to enter new markets, Industrial Liaison Officers (ILOs) are expected to provide specialist advisory support, and Big Science Organisations (BSOs) require advanced procurement expertise. To address these diverse requirements, the INPROCAP project has designed a comprehensive training programme that brings together shared objectives with tailored approaches.
Why Innovation Procurement Matters
Innovation procurement is a strategic process that allows public organisations and research infrastructures to purchase innovative solutions — products or services that are not yet available on the market but address real operational needs.
For the innovation ecosystem, this means:
- BSOs benefit from clearer processes and common practices that improve the overall quality and impact of procurements.
- ILOs better understand how to connect industry and Big Science demand.
- Companies can co-develop solutions that meet specific public and research needs.
In essence, innovation procurement acts as a bridge between public demand and market innovation, creating a win–win for both sides.
The INPROCAP Approach
INPROCAP (Building Innovation Procurement Capabilities in Big Science) is a 3-year Horizon Europe project dedicated to making innovation procurement a standard practice across the Big Science ecosystem.
The project develops:
- Practical training materials and manuals
- Tailored capacity-building activities
- Guidance for BSOs, ILOs, and SMEs to engage effectively in procurement processes
By combining theory with practice, INPROCAP supports all stakeholders in using procurement as a tool to accelerate technological development, improve market access, and strengthen cross-border cooperation.
INPROCAP Webinar Series (October 2025 – December 2026)
The Innovation Procurement Webinar Series provides free, step-by-step guidance for professionals and organisations involved in innovation procurement.
Each session combines expert input with interactive exercises and case discussions.
Date | Format | Title | Priority Audience | |
1 | October 2025 | webinar | General introduction to innovation procurement + presentation of training manual | All stakeholders |
2 | November 2025 | webinar | Needs Assessment/Analysis of Unmet Needs | All stakeholders |
3 | December 2025 | Hybrid training | Market analysis in the context of innovation procurement | BSO + ILO |
4 | February 2026 | webinar | Preliminary market consultation/Open market consultation | All stakeholders |
5 | March 2026 | On-site session | Practical training on innovation procurement for ILOs and Big Science organisations | BSO + ILO |
6 | April 2026 | webinar | Pre-commercial procurement and public procurement of innovative solution | BSO Priority + companies |
7 | May 2026 | webinar | Innovation partnership | BSO Priority + companies |
8 | June 2026 | webinar | Methods and approaches for the procurement process to promote innovation | BSO Priority + companies |
9 | September 2026 | webinar | Competitive dialogue | BSO Priority |
10 | October 2026 | webinar | Competitive procedure with negotiation | BSO Priority |
11 | November 2026 | webinar | Management of Intellectual Property Rights | BSO Priority |
Why Participate
- Free of charge – open to all interested participants
- Led by experts – featuring procurement specialists, ILOs, and BSO representatives
- Interactive format – with discussions, Q&A sessions, and practical exercises
- Networking opportunities – connect directly with peers, researchers, and Big Science buyers
Each training session lasts 90–120 minutes, ensuring enough time for exchange, case analysis, and direct engagement with trainers.
