Enterprise Ireland has an extensive network of contacts and official linkages with international science and technology agencies and funding bodies. We use this network to provide opportunities for academic researchers in Ireland to collaborate with some of the finest research teams in Europe and win funding for Irish research projects. Here is a list of the programmes Enterprise Ireland can currently help you to access and participate in:
The Seventh EU Framework Programme (FP7)
Enterprise Ireland leads Ireland’s participation in the €50 billion Seventh EU Framework Programme. FP7 offers valuable opportunities and funding for Ireland's academic researchers to participate in high-quality research collaborations with companies and research institutions across Europe. We have a dedicated FP7 website that provides full details on the programme and Irish national contact points. Enterprise Ireland also provides financial assistance for researchers interested in developing FP7 proposals in the form of Co-ordination support and Travel grants.
- FP7 Travel grants for academic researchers
Researchers based in all Irish research performing organisations can apply for funding to facilitate visits to meet research partners in other countries. - FP7 Coordination Support Scheme for academics
This scheme provides financial assistance towards the cost of preparing and coordinating an FP7 proposal. The maximum grant for academic coordinators under this support is €12,500. Eligibility includes researchers employed in publicly-funded research performing organisation.
Further information and guidelines can be downloaded from the FP7 website.
COST - European cooperation in science and technology
This inter-governmental initiative is focused on the promotion and facilitation of networking, it does not fund any research. There is a limited budget to cover travel to networking meetings and conferences. For more information, go to COST.
EUREKA
EUREKA is a close-to-market R&D programme involving 37 European countries. Its principal objective is to strengthen the productivity and worldwide competitiveness of companies in Europe. Researchers in HEIs are eligible for 100% funding up to maximum of €250,000 to cover additional research costs if there is an Irish industrial partner also participating in the consortium. For more information, go to Eureka.
EUROSTARS
Eurostars is a joint programme between EUREKA and the EU Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) that aims to foster and fund collaborative research and development projects between companies in member states. Researchers in HEIs are eligible for 100% funding up to maximum of €250,000 to cover additional research costs if there is an Irish industrial partner also participating in the consortium. For more information, go to Eurostars.
European Space Agency (ESA)
Ireland's membership of ESA permits Irish research teams to bid for ESA contract development work in a range of space programmes. For more information, go to European Space Agency (ESA).
Space Education Scholarship Programmes
For information on scholarships for Irish students interested in international space education programmes, go to Space Education Scholarship Programmes.
Joint Technology Initiatives
In 2008, two European industry-led Joint Technology Initiatives were established.
- Advanced Research and Technology for EMbedded Intelligence and Systems (ARTEMIS)
ARTEMIS aims to tackle the research and structural challenges faced by European industry by defining and implementing a coherent Research Agenda for Embedded Computing Systems. The ARTEMIS JU will manage and co-ordinate research activities through open calls for proposals through a 10-year, €2.5 billion research programme on Embedded Computing Systems. The programme is open to organisations including Higher Education Institutes in European Union Member States and Associated Countries. Selected projects will be co-financed by the Joint Undertaking and the Member States. - European Nanonelectronics Initiative Advisory Council(ENIAC)
ENIAC is a research programme aimed at enhancing the further integration and miniaturisation of devices and increasing their functionalities.
To learn more, go to Joint Technology Initiatives.