INVESTMENT
EU to dole-out EUR16bn for tech research
12-07-2002
by Andrew McLindon
Irish organisations have been encouraged to compete for a slice of a new EUR16 billion fund for technology research.
Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Harney, TD, said on Friday that the Sixth EU Framework Programme (FP6) provided a unique opportunity for Irish industry, third level institutions and research organisations to win vital funding.
FP6 will run from 2003 to 2006 and will allocate over EUR16 billion for research activities in technological areas such as nanotechnology, aeronautics, e-government and information society technologies. At least 15 percent of the fund is to be allocated to SMEs.
In order to help Irish bodies secure part of this funding, Enterprise Ireland has set-up a dedicated unit to provide information and support services to potential participants in FP6. The unit will also identify partners in other EU states that could collaborate with Irish organisations.
The Tanaiste said that the government is determined that Ireland secures the maximum benefits from FP6 over the next four years because of the importance of previous EU Framework Programmes in growing Ireland's research base, particularly in the third-level education sector.
"Our participation in EU Research Framework Programmes has helped to increase the knowledge base and credibility of the Irish research community," said the Tanaiste in a statement. "It has also contributed to the creation of a well-educated, well-qualified and technologically aware workforce capable of acting as a magnet to attract and retain the growing number of high technology companies based in Ireland."
The Tanaiste added that funding received under FP6 would complement the government's EUR2.5 billion investment in R&D under the National Development Programme.
Martin Cronin, chief executive officer of Forfas, said that the introduction of new EU research funding under FP6 offered substantial opportunities for Irish researchers to participate with researchers in Europe and further afield in developing cutting-edge technology.
As well as funding specific projects, EUR320 million is being made available to develop the European Research Area (ERA). The EU is hoping that the establishment of the ERA will enable researchers across Europe to collaborate more closely, which would help it compete more effectively with the research efforts of the US and Japan.
Creating successful email surveys: Denise Cox of email specialist Newsweaver argues that you can tap into your readers' likes or dislikes by surveying them.
