The Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock TD, today (Wednesday) welcomed the publication by the European Commission of its proposals for Horizon 2020, the EU Programme for Research and Innovation funding which will operate from 2014 to 2020. This will be the biggest ever EU programme for research and innovation funding, with a budget forecast to be of the order of €80 billion.
The Minister said: "It is in the interests of all involved in the research community, both business and academia, that we have a simplified and integrated European framework which will provide complementary supports across the research and innovation cycle from conception to commercial application.
"Without pre-empting Ireland’s position in the negotiation of the structure and content of Horizon 2020, there are a number of very welcome proposals, including:
· Major simplification through a simpler programme structure;
· Continuation of funding on the basis of competitive calls for
proposals;
· Further development of actions to facilitate mobility of researchers
and structured doctoral training;
· Integration of research and innovation by providing seamless and
coherent funding from idea to market;
· More support for innovation and activities close to the market;
· Targeted supports which are specifically SME-friendly.
"In line with the Europe 2020 Strategy, Ireland is working to ensure the alignment of our research and innovation investment with those areas of opportunity most likely to deliver jobs", the Minister stated.
"Ireland looks forward to working with the Commission and fellow Member States on the development of the structure and content of Horizon 2020. The Research Framework Programmes have become a very important part of the research landscape in Ireland.
"Under the Current Framework Programme Ireland has been very successful in drawing down funding with over €300m already awarded to our third level educational institutions, research centres and small, medium and large sized companies. This puts the funding secured by Irish applicants above the EU average. We see Horizon 2020 as an opportunity to further deepen our engagement in collaborative European and international research leading to the creation of high value jobs for this economy ", Minister Sherlock concluded.