New scheme encourages Irish researchers to participate in FP7
Enterprise Ireland, the country's development agency, has launched a new financial support scheme to encourage researchers to participate in the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Despite its small size, Ireland has had a relatively successful track record in the EU research framework programmes. A glance at the latest statistics for FP6 show 650 Irish participants in 522 FP6 signed contracts, with a total EU contribution to Irish participants amounting to around €142.5 million. The scheme aims to further increase participation in FP7 by offering several types of financial support, including grants of up to €25,000 to help researchers prepare project proposals, and grants of €3,000 to enable them to visit partners abroad. Eligibility has been extended to include all research projects and researchers based in both Irish companies and public research bodies. 'Now that the supports for researchers are more accessible, flexible and valuable, I am confident that even more people will be motivated to take part in FP7,' commented Dr Imelda Lambkin, Director of the Irish FP7 National Support Network. 'Irish participation in FP7 will be a critical component in delivering the targets set out in the Government Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation which covers the same timeframe,' she added. The scheme, which was launched on 7 March, has already been praised by industry. 'These new supports will relieve some of the financial burden of contacting and meeting prospective FP7 partners. EU research can be very exciting and profitable not only in money but also in contacts throughout Europe and the build up of knowledge and IP [intellectual property] transfer from European technology,' said Jimmie Parkes, managing director of Inter-Euro Technology, a company offering specialised environmental services to electroplating and other surface treatment companies.
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Ireland