R&D funding call from Shannon Chamber chief

BUSINESS and academic communities should be aware of the funding being provided by the EU for research & development (R&D), according to Helen Downes, chief executive of Shannon Chamber.
“With Ireland aiming to win €600 million in EU R&D funding by 2013, the West and South-Western business and academic communities should equip themselves to avail of a greater share of this funding than heretofore,” said Ms Downes ahead of a one-day seminar entitled Accessing and Using EU Innovation Supports – the Whys and Wherefores being held at the Westpark Business Campus on Tuesday, May 25.
The seminar is being hosted by the chamber in conjunction with the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) and is co-hosted and supported by Enterprise Ireland, the Enterprise Europe Network in Ireland and Bank of Ireland.
“It is an ideal opportunity for businesses, policy makers, regional authorities, regional development agencies, higher education institutes, innovation centres, consultants, chambers of commerce or other such entities in the West or South-West to get an in-depth understanding of the EU funding system from a panel of European experts representing the EIPA, the European Commission and Europe for Business,” said Ms Downes.
Since the introduction of the Seventh EU Framework Programme in 2007 (FP7), the largest EU R&D funding programme to date, companies in the West of Ireland have lagged behind their Dublin counterparts in availing of the funding, according to Ms Downes.
“Forty companies, or 27% of total participants, availing of FP7 support in the period 2007-2009 were based on this side of Ireland,” she said.
Shannon Chamber has assembled a panel of European experts who will join their Irish counterparts in delivering a comprehensive programme of practical presentations on the many aspects of the FP7 programme. Irish companies that have successfully applied for funding will outline the steps followed and outcomes delivered.
Minister for Trade and Commerce, Billy Kelleher, will address the seminar on the importance of upskilling Irish enterprise at start-up and SME levels to promote growth, reinforce Ireland’s competitiveness and boost employment.
For further details, contact Shannon Chamber on 061 708341 or cobrien@shannonchamber.ie.