|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Global governments are competing to attract large pharmaceutical and technology companies to their shores with appealing incentives. On the island of Ireland the drive for excellence in Research and Development (R&D) has been gathering pace in recent years. InterTradeIreland's Chief Executive Liam Nellis believes that the key to success is collaboration. Building Alliances"Over the last six years we have been encouraging and supporting small companies on both sides of the border to build alliances, to pool their resources and to share information so that they can become more profitable and competitive. Significant investment in research and innovation is a key requirement for the long-term competitiveness of both economies. As a small island it makes a great deal of sense for us to be cooperating in this area," he argues. The announcement in June 2006 of the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (2006-2013) represents a genuine cross-Government; cross departmental strategy that indicated the Irish Government now took the development of a knowledge economy very seriously. In State expenditure alone there is €3.8 billion on offer. Excellence In ResearchThe shared vision is that by 2013 Ireland will be "internationally renowned for the excellence of its research, and will be at the forefront in generating and using new knowledge for economic and social progress, within an innovation driven culture". Main Aims Of The Strategy
The Regional Innovation Strategy for Northern Ireland, published in June 2003, states its primary purpose as providing 'a framework for the creation of a globally competitive, innovation-driven regional economy in Northern Ireland.' Certainly, Northern Ireland has achieved a great deal in recent years. Under the heading 'think | create | innovate', R&D is playing an ever increasing role in Northern Ireland business. Currently, Northern Ireland can claim some of the most innovative companies within the UK, working across such multi-disciplinary technology areas such as nanotechnology, digital media and agri-food. FusionScience, technology and innovation is a key priority for InterTradeIreland with several successful initiatives up and running. One of InterTradeIreland flagship programmes is FUSION. This scheme is an all-island technology transfer programme, which develops and facilitates threeway partnerships and projects between companies with technology based development needs, third level institutes and high calibre graduates. It is particularly relevant to companies where increased knowledge and technology transfer is crucial to business, for example: polymers, packaging, health and life sciences, food science, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, information and communication technologies and various forms of engineering. How does fusion work?FUSION develops and facilitates partnerships between companies, with a need on one side of the border, and colleges or universities that can provide the required specialist expertise, on the other side. A high calibre graduate is then employed by the company to spearhead a project for a period of up to 2 years. The graduate acts as the link and agent of technology transfer between the university and the company. What's the deal for companies?InterTradeIreland will provide a support
package worth up to £61,500 towards
the costs of carrying out a technology
related project which is central to a
company's development needs.
Since August 2001, the programme has helped approximately 200 companies across the island of Ireland achieve their strategic goals. To date over £10 million of benefits have been reported by companies and this figure is expected to increase five fold as projects complete and realise their full potential over the coming years. Want To Know More?If you would like to find out more
about FUSION please contact: InnovaAnother of InterTradeIreland 's successful programmes is INNOVA. The programme provides an incentive for cross-border R&D collaboration consisting of industrial research or pre-competitive development activities. Companies can acquire new knowledge that may be used to develop new products and services or significantly improve existing ones. Innova is a pilot initiative aimed at stimulating, promoting and supporting R&D co-operation between firms, North and South, with the support of public research organisations where required. Objectives
EligibilityWhat type of projects are eligible for support? Eligible projects can consist of industrial research or precompetitive development activities: Industrial research is aimed at acquiring new knowledge that may be useful in developing new products, processes or services or in significantly improving existing products, processes or services. Precompetitive development activities involve taking the results of industrial research and shaping these into a plan for new or improved products, processes or services, including the creation of a prototype which could not be used commercially. Want to know more?If you would like to find out more
about INNOVA
please contact: Expertise IrelandAnother resource that InterTradeIreland are keen to highlight is the website expertiseireland.com. At present the site is attracting 21,000 hits every year, and has become an important destination for a large sector of the business community. Expertiseireland.com is a one-stop-shop allowing companies to tap into the world-class intellectual property available on the island of Ireland. It is the first point of contact between those who create new ideas and those who can exploit them. Danny McCoy, Director of Policy at IBEC believes the website is an invaluable resource for business on the island. "With access to more than 5000 experts the portal is an important business tool and is helping to promote and provide the innovative environment that is vital to improving Ireland's economic productivity and prosperity levels". The website will help anyone find an expert in a wide variety of fields from biotechnology to zoology and includes information on the latest technology innovations available for commercial exploitation. Furthermore, access to information of this kind will be an important tool in implementing the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2007-2013 Another key feature is the searchable database which can identify appropriate sources of funding on a local, national and European basis. The site provides a fast and effective gateway to Ireland's knowledge base strengthening our international profile as a premier location for carrying out world class research and development. InterTradeIreland is determined to work closely with key stakeholders in local government and the public sector to help support the economy across the island of Ireland. Through partnership, innovation and collaboration, business will benefit greatly facing the new challenges of the global economy with confidence. Want to know more?If you would like to find out more about
EXPERTISE IRELAND please contact: |
|
|
|
| © 2007 Irish Entrepreneur Irish Entrepreneur is published by Morrissey Media Ltd. 3 Dublin Road, Naas, Co. Kildare. T: + 353 45 866200 F: + 353 45 883709 E: info@irishentrepreneur.com |
|
Irish Business Magazines Get Real Run For Their Money Ireland's Top Distributed Magazine |
 |
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: BIG BUSINESS