Ambitious target set for Horizon 2020 funding EU programme is a real opportunity to maintain and improve research excellence in universities

  Researchers in Ireland were successful in achieving the national target of 600 million in funding from FP7. Ireland's average contribution to the EU budget over the period 2014-20 will be about 1.2 per cent. On that basis a return of 953 million would be required to break even with Ireland�...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Irish times
Main Author O'Carroll, Conor
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Dublin The Irish Times Ltd 23.01.2014
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:  Researchers in Ireland were successful in achieving the national target of 600 million in funding from FP7. Ireland's average contribution to the EU budget over the period 2014-20 will be about 1.2 per cent. On that basis a return of 953 million would be required to break even with Ireland's estimated contribution to the EU's overall budget. However, the Government has set its eyes on a far more ambitious target of 1.25 billion in its publication on Horizon 2020, Ireland's Strategy and Target for Participation. The Irish universities, in partnership with the private sector, have been the most successful participants in FP7, and their involvement is essential for Ireland to reach the national target. As part of their commitment to competing for these funds, the Irish universities' action plan, Horizon 2020: Sustaining Excellence in University Research and Innovation, was launched by Minister of State for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock. This action plan, led by the vice-presidents and deans of research in the seven universities, sets out their position on the Horizon 2020 proposals and makes a series of recommendations to enhance the performance of Irish universities. This is the first time the universities have prepared such a plan, and it is a testament to the importance of European research funding.