O’ Donovan encourages take up in EU Research and Development grants

Added January 17th, 2013

Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’ Donovan has called for a greater up take in applying for research and development grants as well as other grants that the state was avail of through the European Union, under the auspices of research, innovation and science.

This follows the Deputy O’ Donovan raising the matter with the Sean Sherlock TD, Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in the Dail last week.

Deputy O’ Donovan had asked the Minster to outline the Seventh EU Framework Programme for Research and Development and the take up of the Programme by Ireland. The Programme with a budget of over €50 billion for the period 2007 to 2013, is the EU’s main instrument for funding research and development in Europe.

“The EU Framework Programmes have been an important element in the internationalisation of Irish research, offering Ireland’s SMEs, multinationals, and research institutions valuable opportunities to participate in high-calibre research collaborations with our European counterparts.”

“In order for Ireland to extract the maximum benefit from the opportunities available within this Framework, the Minister has assured me that a National Support Network has been put in place, headed by a National Director for this Programme based in Enterprise Ireland who leads a team of national contact points for various elements of the Programme.

“This support structure ensures that a coordinated and coherent approach is adopted towards this Framework across all of the Government Departments, agencies and other organisations involved. Through this support structure, a mix of guidance, advice and financial assistance is available to encourage researchers and companies, large and small, to avail of the opportunities within the Programme. “

“In the period from the beginning of 2007 when the Seventh Framework Programme began to June this year, the latest period for which data is available, almost 6,000 applicants from Irish based organisations took part in Programme proposals requesting European funding.  Of these, almost 1400 applicants have been successful, giving an overall Irish success rate of over 23%.  Funding awards to Irish participants to date is €438 million, covering a period of five and a half years.”

“The biggest challenge for the government is promoting growth and job creation. The Framework Programme Research and Development will benefit innovative, job-creating businesses so they can expand and create the jobs we so badly need”.