€50 billion programme to drive forward research in Europe - Minister Martin opens launch event for FP7 in Ireland

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Micheál Martin TD, today (Wednesday 15 November 2006) launched the Seventh EU Framework Programme for Research (FP7) in Ireland at an information event for academics and industry in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham.

FP7 is an ambitious €50 billion programme open to researchers and companies across Europe which will run from the beginning of 2007 up to 2013 covering a wide array of research disciplines. This Government’s strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) has set a national target of 400 million for FP7.There is a very close alignment between Ireland’s goals for science and research and those of Europe.

FP7 reflects the special emphasis that is now being placed on research and innovation as part of Europe’s competitiveness agenda.

The Minister drew attention to the role of the Framework Programme in Ireland’s strategy for science and technology.

“The Framework Programmes have always been an important element in the internationalisation of Irish research. Participation in the programme has enhanced the credibility and reputation of the Irish research community and considerably increased its visibility on a European and world stage. FP7 will be a critical component in delivering on the targets set out in our national strategy, which covers the same timeframe.”

In the current Framework Programme (FP6) Irish research institutions and companies are participating in more than 500 research partnerships around Europe and, under the Marie Curie Mobility Scheme, are hosting more than 250 skilled researchers from around Europe, bringing the benefit of their scientific training to Ireland. In monetary terms, this activity has injected some €200 million of additional European funding into the Irish research system over the lifetime of the programme (2003-2006).

On behalf of the European Commission, Mr Richard Escritt, a Director of DG Research, spoke of the balance that has been achieved in FP7, which combines initiatives to fund Europe’s top scientists to perform cutting-edge frontier research while remaining true to the competitiveness needs of European industry.

“The design of FP7 has been heavily influenced by the strategic research agendas put forward by European industry groupings. These will be reflected strongly in the calls for proposals for collaborative research, which remains at the heart of the programme. However, FP7 also sees the creation of the European Research Council which will have a fund of €7.5 billion to be awarded to Europe’s top scientists for frontier research solely on the basis of the excellence of their research. The ERC is an exciting new initiative that will have a profound effect on Europe’s long term competitiveness.”

In opening the launch event, Minister Martin announced the appointment of a National Director for FP7. Dr Imelda Lambkin, who will be attached to Enterprise Ireland, will spearhead the national effort to ensure that all researchers and companies are made aware of FP7 opportunities and the best possible assistance is provided to researchers and companies for whom FP7 presents appropriate opportunities. Dr Lambkin will oversee the activity of a network of national contact points, on hand to assist potential participants to access European research funding opportunities under FP7.

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