Irish research will benefit from EU funding boost

July 21, 2011 at 6:14 pm Leave a comment

Irish third level colleges, research organisations and private sector industries are being urged to make the most of the EU’s biggest ever research funding programme launched in Brussels this week.
Ireland’s European Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn announced a €7 billion package, to be made available in 2012 under the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research, known as FP7. A further €11 billion will become available in 2013.
The move has been welcomed by IBEC, with a spokesperson claiming it would create “significant opportunities for Irish-based companies of all sizes” to access Research and Development grants. Ireland has already drawn down €300 million from the EU fund for research since 2007, and it’s expected to avail of a further €600 million by 2013.
Irish MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher welcomed what he said was an “uplifting” announcement, and said the funding would be available across a broad range of categories including health, marine, agriculture, energy, digital technology and the environment. He advised researchers interested in applying for funding to contact Enterprise Ireland for more information.
Successful candidates in the public sector will be able to draw down 75 per cent co-financing under the scheme, while private companies will benefit from 50 per cent co-financing.