Enterprise Ireland
Annual Report and Accounts 2005
Annual Report and Accounts 2005
In 2005, four Irish start-up companies won research grants worth €2.4 million under the Human Resources & Mobility Programme (known as the Marie Curie Transfer of Knowledge scheme) which forms part of the European Union’s Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006).
This is a major achievement for these companies which are undergoing crucial early stage development. The research awards demonstrate the high level of ability and potential these companies possess against international competition.
The Marie Curie scheme awards grants to universities, research institutions or enterprises for funding to reinforce or develop new research competencies through the recruitment of experienced researchers. The scheme covers the full salary costs associated and contributes to research, management and overhead costs.
To date, the total amount of funding secured by Ireland from the European Commission’s highly competitive Marie Curie Programme is €42 million and almost 20% of this amount has been awarded to Irish industry. The funding will expand Ireland’s R&D capability by attracting a total of 220 top class researchers from around the world.
Enterprise Ireland actively promotes the Marie Curie scheme to Irish industry and in 2005 this resulted in 16 proposals being submitted to the scheme. The four companies that were successful are: Sigmoid Biotechnologies Ltd, Celtic Catalysts Ltd, Cellix Ltd and Duolog Technologies Ltd.
One of these, Celtic Catalysts Ltd, is an innovative chemical discovery and development company, focused on providing its end-user clients and partners in the Pharmaceutical and Fine Chemical industries with a pioneering set of chemistries.
Brian Elliot, CEO at Celtic Catalysts Ltd says:
“The Marie Curie grant has provided Celtic Catalysts with the funding to enable us to hire researchers to develop our technology platform and product range. It provides us with the necessary capability to carry out an extensive collaborative research programme with Queen’s University, Belfast which we consider to be very valuable to us.”
There are significant opportunities available for industry research in the Marie Curie Programme in 2006 and Enterprise Ireland will continue to promote the programme and assist companies with their proposals.
