Key Exploitable Results, or KERs are the most practical and promising outcomes from PRIMA-funded research projects. They represent innovations and knowledge that are ready to move beyond the research phase and into real-world application, whether that means commercialization, adoption by farmers, use by policymakers, or implementation by communities. Recently, PRIMA has been analyzing the key exploitable results (KERs) of projects that have reached their final stages (projects funded in 2018, 2019 and 2020) and have been technically validated by the PRIMA Secretariat. A total of 271 KERs have been generated from 86 completed projects.

Based on this first analysis, PRIMA findings show that KERs take different forms. About half are tangible outputs: products (22.7%), methods and tools (20.1%), industrial processes (7.4%), and agricultural practices (3.7%). The other half consists of non-tangible outputs like services (17.1%), scientific discoveries (10.8%), policy recommendations (7.4%), and learning tools (4.1%). The data shows this approach is working. Most PRIMA KERs have reached solid levels of technological maturity. About 45% are at Technology Readiness Level 5, meaning they’ve been validated in relevant environments. Another 33% have reached TRL 6, with prototypes demonstrated in real conditions. Some 13.7% achieved TRL 7 (operational prototypes), and a few reached TRL 8 (complete systems). This means these innovations are moving beyond the laboratory and toward practical use.

From 86 completed PRIMA projects involving 779 beneficiaries across 19 participating states, with a combined budget of 107 million euros, the program has generated 271 Key Exploitable Results. This represents an average of more than three exploitable results per project. The 271 KERs from PRIMA’s first completed projects are just the beginning. The program has funded 269 projects since 2018, with approximately 400 million euros allocated, involving 2,586 beneficiaries. As these projects conclude, many more exploitable results will emerge.