Experts are sought for certification of R+D+i projects

Are you interested in a knowledge transfer activity but do not know where to start? The R+D+i certification companies are continuously looking for experts in specific areas and being added to their databases can be an attractive way to begin to do this type of work. We will tell you how it works.

The research, development and innovation activities have favourable tax treatments that allow companies to deduct a percentage of expenditures dedicated to them. But, for an activity to be considered within these categories, an external company must certify that indeed these activities are research,development and innovation following a concrete assessment protocol. This protocol requires that an expert in the specific area of knowledge (defined by its UNESCO code) take part in the evaluation.

The expert

The figure of the expert (also called "6D" or "six figures" in the certification jargon) is mainly responsible for noting which items are an innovation compared to the existing knowledge in the field, what is the scope of these innovations, etc. To do this, it receives from the company that aspires to the tax deduction a report that has previously passed through the quality filters of the certification organisation. Their task is to respond, in a number of forms and following a specific protocol, to questions about the nature of the activities. Normally they have a period of 10 days to do it.

To be an expert in a particular field of knowledge, you must have participated in research projects within that area for at least two years in the previous five years. Given the variety of fields in which it is possible to frame innovations (technological, biomedical, mathematical...), the certification organisations need large databases of experts in all areas of science. They themselves are responsible for training and helping experts make the assessment by answering questions and explaining clearly what is required at each step. Therefore, what is valued from the expert is their experience in the field of knowledge, as specific knowledge about the certification procedure can be acquired later.

In the words of José Antonio González Marcos, professor of the chemical engineering department who has experience doing work as an expert, "the task of the expert is not very different from what researchers perform when reviewing articles for journals or when evaluating research projects, but in this case also they receive remuneration for it by the certifying company."

Interesting? Learn more

If you are interested in these types of activities and think you could work as a "6D" expert, maybe you could visit sites such as DNV (contact information: Mirian Rodríguez) or EQA (contact information: Paz Blazquez). We can also be contacted at the Euskoiker Foundation (944795688) and orientate you on the possibilities opening in this field.