Its governors (founders) are the University of the Basque Country / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, the three Regional Governments of Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa and Araba, and the three Chambers of Commerce of Bilbao, Gipuzkoa and Araba.

Its existence dates back to 1979 and over the course of more than thirty years it has managed numerous research projects, made strategic contacts and participated in several research presentation forums (FOROTECH, PROMA, TECNOVA).

Moreover, Euskoiker is a member of the Basque Network for Science, Technology and Innovation – RCTVI (Innobasque), and of the Spanish Network for University-Company Foundations (RED FUE) and is listed as the Office for the Transfer of Research Results (OTRI in Spanish) of the Spanish State (OTRI website)

Every year, the Foundation presents the Euskoiker Research Awards and manages the Burdinola Awards for the recognition of research activity.

Functions

Its main functions are:

• Encourage and increase University-Business relations.
• Manage relations between the UPV/EHU and public and private entities, within the scope of studies and research projects in any area of university activity, including executing contracts and seeking methods of funding.
• Act as department consultant for the purchasing of research material of the University.
• Organise programmes for the professional exchange of university researchers in the company and company researchers in the University.
• Develop the exchange of professionals between the company and the University in their different forms, as well as the creation of professional posts for researchers.
• Manage the use of patents and property rights as well as resolving any issues or problems that may arise therein.
• Facilitate the transfer to the company of research projects, both potential and confirmed, results of the university research and in general, create public awareness of findings from the University.
• Raise awareness in the University of the needs of the industry and of society in general.
• Encourage and collaborate in the organisation of courses, conferences, seminars and congresses which promote the flow of information among researchers, as well as promoting its application.
• Constantly keep the inventory updated, with university research units on the one hand, with their functions and services, and on the other hand, with the requirements of both companies and society.
• Carry out any other type of activities or previsions relating to that mentioned above, either in a preparatory or auxiliary capacity, which contribute to the best development of the principle object.

Governors

The basic activity of the foundation, which is classified as a teaching and research foundation, is developed under the collaboration agreement signed up to with the UPV/EHU in order to encourage the execution of research contracts.

The Board of Governors of the foundation, governing and administrative body of same, comprises a total of 12 members, distributed as follows:

The Board of Governors of the foundation, governing and administrative body of same, comprises a total of 12 members, distributed as follows:

• 6 members from the University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea:
  • The Chancellor, in the capacity of Vice-president along with a further five members nominated by him.
• 3 members, one for each of the Regional Governments of the Autonomous Region of the Basque Country.
• 3 members, one for each of the Chambers of Commerce of Bilbao, Gipuzkoa and Araba, with the Presidency of the Foundation rotating biannually.

More information: Presentation Dossier of the Euskoiker Foundation..