Policies for research and innovation are a centrepiece of the current global ‘knowledge and innovation society’.
However, the design and implementation of such policies is not a simple and straightforward business. During the past few decades, policies for research and innovation have no longer become the exclusive remit of national governments. Other public authorities at the local, regional, European and international levels intervene actively in policy design and in policy implementation. Likewise, the creation of highly specialized and professionalised agencies at each of those levels has added to this rapid decentralizing trend. Furthermore, the number and type of stakeholders in research and innovation policy is growing rapidly. NGOs, charities and other public-private actors have become very active stakeholders shaping new policy directions.