Irish R&D funding outperforms EU average

Silicon Republic
06 January 2010

Taking part in pan-European research projects, Irish researchers are successfully seeking funding from the €50-billion Seventh EU Framework Programme (FP7) to the tune of €1 million per a week over the last three years.

FP7, which runs from 2007 to 2013, was designed to tackle Europe's employment needs, competitiveness and quality of life with funding for research, in particular areas including IT, health and the environment.

“I am particularly pleased to see the high level of activity of Irish researchers both from academic and industry," said Conor Lenihan TD, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation.

Lenhinan stated today that since the FP7 began and up until October 2009 there have been 2,322 applicants for funding from Irish-based organisations.

“From these proposals, 546 applicants were successful, receiving €152 million, giving an overall Irish success rate of 23.51pc, above the European Member State average of 21.68pc,” added Lenihan.

“The new ideas and innovations generated from these research collaborations will help create new high-quality jobs.”