15th July 2016
Irish SMEs receive €54 million
Minister for Training, Skills and Innovation John Halligan T.D. has announced that researchers and companies in Ireland have won a total of €274.7 million in funding from the EU Horizon 2020 programme for research projects. The Higher Education system accounted for €172.5 million of this total and companies secured €79.2 million, including €54.3 million for SMEs.
This funding was secured from Horizon 2020, the EU programme to support research and innovation.
Commenting on the results, Minister Halligan said that, “I congratulate all of the successful researchers and companies on their terrific achievement. Ireland is continuing to perform very well in Horizon 2020 and we are competing successfully with the best researchers and most innovative companies in the EU for funding”.
“I particular welcome the fact that SMEs have been so successful in Horizon 2020, winning €54 million in funding. Horizon 2020 is helping these companies to innovate, which is vital for creating high-quality and sustainable jobs. It is also clear that the research being carried out in Ireland is in the top-tier of EU research and this is a key factor in the companies’ success in Horizon 2020”.
Dr Imelda Lambkin, the National Director for Horizon 2020 said that “The national support structure for Horizon 2020, led by Enterprise Ireland, continues to assist researchers in identifying opportunities and in applying for funding. We are currently looking specifically for newcomers with a view to preparing a cohort of 100 new researchers and companies for the upcoming calls”.
Prof Mark Ferguson, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government said that “Science Foundation Ireland welcomes the news of Irish companies’ recent success in Horizon 2020. There is a misconception that Horizon 2020 is primarily for academia; there is actually more funding in it for industry. Science Foundation Ireland has a number of programmes in place to support bids for funding and continues to encourage Irish company and academic participation. I am delighted with the success we have seen to date and hope to significantly build upon these achievements from both academia and industry.”
ENDS
For further information please contact Press Office, D/Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation ph. 6312221 or press.office@djei.ie
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Horizon 2020 has a total budget of €75 billion and will run until 2020.
For more information on the national support structure for Horizon 2020, see www.horizon2020.ie
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