The Minister for Research and Innovation, Mr. Seán Sherlock TD, today [Monday] welcomed latest European Commission figures which show that to date researchers from Ireland have been awarded €430m under the EU Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) (2007-2013)*.
“Awards to Irish researchers are now already over twice the funding Ireland received in the previous EU Research Programme” the Minister announced.
Minister Sherlock was speaking following the announcement by the European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Maire Geoghegan-Quinn of the final and biggest call for proposals under FP7. This will inject nearly €8bn into Europe’s research and innovation system. Industry, individual researchers, universities or research institutes, can all bid for this funding.
Minister Sherlock said: “The main focus of the funding will be on the integration of research with innovation to tackle societal challenges and create sustainable jobs and growth by giving Europe a lead in the key technology markets of the future.
“Based on our excellent performance to date, Ireland could achieve some €150m more in research awards before the current programme ends in 2013. I am confident that we will continue to leverage our national investment in research.
“Ireland’s investment in its research capacity has positioned us very well to participate strongly in European research programmes. This represents a crucial opportunity to support growth and jobs”, Minister Sherlock concluded.
ENDS
* The current Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) offers Ireland's SMEs, multinationals, and research institutions valuable opportunities to participate in high-calibre research collaborations with our European counterparts.
The FP7 National Support Office (www.fp7ireland.com), led by the National Director for FP7 (based in Enterprise Ireland), is charged with optimising Irish involvement in the programme.
The National Support Office provides a range of incentives for FP7 participation including travel support for academics, proposal preparation support for academic coordinators and feasibility study support for companies (as participants or coordinators). The Office coordinates the national support network for FP7 which has 10 member organisations; the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government, Enterprise Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Higher Education Authority, the Health Research Board, the Irish Research Council, the Irish Universities Association, Sustainable Energy Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland.
For further information contact:
Roisin McCann, Press Officer, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tel: 01 631 2200.