€50bn invested in research Europe-wide
Researchers and companies will benefit from an ambitious €50bn programme being launched Europe-wide today.
Minister for Trade Micheál Martin hopes to secure a national share of €400m from the scheme to cover a wide array of research disciplines.
The Seventh EU Framework Programme for Research (FP7), which will run from the beginning of 2007 to 2013, reflects the special emphasis that is now being placed on research and innovation as part of Europe’s competitiveness agenda.
Mr Martin said the programme is critical to delivering Ireland’s strategy for science and technology, with specialist staff on hand to help potential participants’ access the funding.
“The Framework Programmes have always been an important element in the internationalisation of Irish research,” said Minister Martin.
“Participation in the programme has enhanced the credibility and reputation of the Irish research community and considerably increased its visibility on a European and world stage.”
In the current Framework Programme (FP6), Irish research institutions and companies are participating in more than 500 research partnerships around Europe and, under the Marie Curie Mobility Scheme, are hosting more than 250 skilled researchers from around Europe, bringing the benefit of their scientific training to Ireland.
In monetary terms, this activity has injected some €200m of additional European funding into the Irish research system over the lifetime of the programme, from 2003 to 2006.
