18th June 2019
Minister Humphreys to host information event for prospective applicants in the University of Limerick on 5th July
Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, has today published information on the application process and criteria for Call 2 of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, allowing prospective applicants to develop their proposals.
The Minister also announced that she will be hosting an information and networking event on the Fund in Limerick on 5th July for prospective applicants.
The Fund, which was announced as part of Project Ireland 2040, forms a key part of Future Jobs Ireland, a whole-of-Government plan to prepare our economy now for tomorrow’s world.
Speaking ahead of the information event, Minister Humphreys said:
“There was huge interest in the first call of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund and I expect that will only increase further for Call 2. I am making this information available today so that applicants have an opportunity to review the scheme criteria ahead of a major information event which will be held in University of Limerick on 5th July.
“This event will ensure that interested parties get first-hand advice on the application process. It will also bring together representatives from industry and the research community which will hopefully help build potential partnerships and collaborations for the next round of this exciting fund, which is one of the first of its kind in the world. Research and innovation play an increasingly vital role in Ireland’s economic development, so it is crucial that we engage directly with science and technology sectors on this initiative.
As well as practical information about the second round of the Fund, the event will showcase some of the innovations developed in Ireland under the first round.
In order to ensure that projects of scale and impact are funded, the Fund is available to applicants requesting funding of €1.5 million or more for projects of up to 3 years duration. Enterprise partners must provide matched funding. Prospective applicants should visit www.dbei.gov.ie/DTIF for information on the application process and further information on the Fund. Applicants who wish to attend the information event on 5th July should register their interest here.
-Ends-
Additional Information for Editors:
The €500m Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund
The establishment of the €500m Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) will drive collaboration between Ireland’s research base and industry in support of the development and adoption of new technologies and applications which will in turn help build new markets and strengthen the competitiveness of the enterprise sector. The Fund, which was announced as part of Project Ireland 2040, forms a key part of Future Jobs Ireland.
Disruptive technologies are taken to mean technologies that have the potential to significantly alter markets and their functioning and significantly alter the way that businesses operate. While they may involve new products or processes, they can also involve the emergence of new business models. DTIF is about investing in projects that develop and deploy disruptive technologies to deliver new solutions for the Irish economy – projects funded will help to create the jobs of the future.
DTIF projects are required to align with Ireland’s Research Priority areas. Themes under Research Prioritisation include Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Health and Wellbeing, Advanced and Smart Manufacturing and Smart and Sustainable Food Production and Processing.
Future Jobs Ireland
Future Jobs Ireland is a Government of Ireland initiative with deliverables assigned across a range of Government Departments and agencies. Future Jobs Ireland incorporates five pillars as set out below (along with some illustrative examples):
- Embracing innovation and technological change – This includes supports, policies and initiatives that promote and enable RD&I among enterprise; encourage digitalisation; and support the development and adoption of technology.
- Improving SME productivity – This includes supports, policies and initiatives that enhance productivity, especially among SMEs; promote indigenous entrepreneurship, especially in the regions; encourage clustering and stronger links between domestic and foreign owned firms; and assist businesses to move up the value chain.
- Enhancing skills and developing and attracting talent – This includes supports, policies and initiatives that enhance Ireland’s human capital offering, including in areas such as ICT and management skills; develop Irelands’ vocational and third level institutions; improve Lifelong Learning rates, and ETB initiatives that enable disadvantaged groups to return to the workforce.
- Increasing participation in the labour force – this includes supports, policies or initiatives focused on improving labour market participation, especially among young people, older workers, women and people with disabilities; improving the supply and cost of childcare; enabling more flexible working arrangements; and streamlining immigration procedures.
- Transitioning to a low carbon economy – this includes supports, policies or initiatives aimed at expanding renewable energy generation; retrofitting of buildings to improve energy efficiency; roll-out of electric vehicles; and enterprise / employment opportunities in the green/circular/bio economy.
Back to Department News