Ireland can now target up to €1 billion in research funding over the next six years - Minister Sherlock
Irish Presidency secures political agreement with European Parliament
on EU’s research and innovation programme
The political agreement with the European Parliament secured by the Irish Presidency on the EU’s c. €70bn research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020, will boost jobs and growth across the European Union and in Ireland, according to Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock TD who is in Brussels for the final formal "trilogue" or three-way negotiation between the Council, Commission and Parliament.
Following lengthy intensive negotiations over the past months, the Irish Presidency secured political agreement on Horizon 2020, one of its most significant priorities. This agreement is a central plank of the Irish Presidency’s designated theme of jobs and growth.
Welcoming the political agreement on the EU’s new research and innovation programme for the period 2014-2020, Minister Sherlock, currently Chair of the Council of EU Research Ministers, said
"I am delighted that the Irish Presidency has achieved its objective of reaching political agreement on the c. €70bn Horizon 2020 programme. Research and innovation are key drivers of growth and job creation. The strategic approach to research and innovation contained in Horizon 2020 will develop, diffuse and drive research across the European Union. However, I am mindful that the Council will also have to give its approval to the final shape of the negotiated agreement and I hope and expect that will come later this week when we have a chance to report back formally to our colleagues in Member States.
I am confident that Ireland will be in a position to target up to 1 billion euro in research and technology funding under the new Programme over the next six years. We need to set ambitious targets in ensuring that we maximise our drawdown of productive, job creating funds from Europe and this is perhaps the prime source of that kind of funding. We know from our own industry base that research and development drives exports and profitability and helps to secure and grow jobs. The increased support for SMEs will help to increase the economic benefits and job creation flowing from the research conducted. It was hugely important that the Irish Presidency would secure continuity in funding for research and innovation, following on Framework Programme 7, under which Ireland benefited by c. €600 million. "
I would like to pay tribute to Commissioner Geoghegan Quinn and her team in DG Research for their huge personal commitment and creativity in championing within the Commission, a framework programme for research that will be the engine of the Union’s recovery. Great credit is also due to the rapporteurs and negotiating team of the European Parliament who showed great integrity and commitment in their approach to this challenging dossier."
The programme consists of three pillars:
1. Excellent Science, which will include funding for the European Research Council, research infrastructures and future and emerging technologies.
2. Industrial Leadership, the truly innovative element of the programme as it contains specific supports for SMEs and for enabling industrial technologies such as nanotechnologies, biotechnologies and ICT.
3. Societal Challenges, which will help ensure that research is directed at areas of most concern to citizens and business-such as health, climate, food, security, energy and transport.
The programme will use a simplified funding model, which means that a greater number of businesses and research providers – small medium and large - can access the programme with less bureaucracy. This in turn means greater diversity in research, greater opportunities for business and greater benefits for the economy at large. The inclusion of specific measures for widening of participation will also further enhance a diverse range of research and research bodies. Importantly, funding, via the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, for projects in the areas of healthy living and active ageing, raw materials, food and added value manufacturing was also included.
This political agreement now goes to the Committee of Permanent Representatives of Member States for endorsement. The indicative budget of €70 billion is subject to final agreement on the EU’s Multi-Financial Framework.