COLLABORATIVE R&D

Instead of going it alone, companies and institutes with similar research agendas can collaborate to share resources and knowledge.  Collaboration can occur company to company, company to Higher Education Institute (HEI), or indeed involve several companies and HEIs in the one project.  There are a variety of collaborative programme supports available through Enterprise Ireland, IDA SFI, IRSCET and InterTrade Ireland.

*new* Clustering Programme

Managed by Enterprise Ireland, and announced by Minister Bruton on 9th July 2012, the new Clustering Programme is a €2m pilot programme which aims to support industry led groups to maximise the benefits of collaborative opportunities. The programme must include at least 5 companies, and there is an opportunity to conduct a feasibility study as well as a facilitation phase. Funding of up to €100,000 is available.

Applied Research Enhancement (ARE) Centres

Funded by Enterprise Ireland, ARE Centres provide specialist expertise, research capabilities and equipment to help companies advance their R&D.  ARE Centres specialize in the areas of ICT and Software, Bio-Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals, and Bio-Medical Devices and Materials.

Centres for Science Engineering & Technology (CSETs)

Managed by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), these CSETs are centres where joint industry academic research projects is undertaken, focused around a particular theme such as software engineering, bio-medical diagnostics etc.  The CSETs receives annual funding in the region of €3m, which all companies are eligible to avail of through partnership with a CSET in their area of operations.

Enterprise Partnership Scheme

Managed by the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) this scheme allows private companies and eligible public bodies to co-fund postgraduate and postdoctoral research.  The cost of the scholarship and fellowship awards are co-funded by IRCSET (two-thirds) and the company (one-third).

Fusion

Managed by InterTrade Ireland, this programme is a Business Academic Graduate Partnership.  The programme supports the funding of a graduate to undertake research on behalf of a participating company.

Industry Led Research Networks

Managed by Enterprise Ireland, this programme facilitates medium term shared agenda research among groups of companies who could not afford to fund such research alone.  The programme is open to clients of EI, IDA, Shannon Development and Údarás na Gaeltachta and the level of funding depends upon the scale and potential of the research project.

Innova

Managed by InterTrade Ireland, this company to company collaboration programme supports companies develop ideas to commercial potential by partnering with strategic partners in the other jurisdiction (North / South).  Up to €285,000 per partnership is available to projects which can demonstrate a strong commercial potential.

Innovation Partnerships

Managed by Enterprise Ireland, this programme encourages Irish companies to work with HEIs to undertake R&D activities to benefit their companies.  Relevant to clients of EI, IDA, County & City Enterprise Boards, Shannon Development and Údarás na Gaeltachta, funding amounts up to 80% of the eligible costs are available.

Innovation Vouchers

Managed by Enterprise Ireland, Innovation Vouchers are designed to assist a company or companies to explore an opportunity or problem through collaboration with a research group.  Innovation Vouchers are available to small companies (up to 50 employees), are worth €5,000, and up to 10 companies may pool their vouchers together to create a larger fund up to €50,000.

Strategic Research Cluster Programme (SRC)

Managed by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), SRCs were designed to help link scientists and engineers in partnerships across industry and academia.  SRCs receive annual funding of between €500,000 and €1.5m over a 3 or 5 year period, and companies can collaborate with an appropriate SRC to leverage research excellence in that area, by committing a minimum of 25% cost share (cash or in-kind) to the SRC.

Technology Centres

A joint initiative between Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, this programme facilitates Irish companies and Multinationals coming together to work on a common interest research project in collaboration with research institutions.  Typical funding levels are in the region of €1m per annum for a Technology Centre, with an expectation of contribution in cash or kind from participating companies.