The Minister for Training, Skills and Innovation, John Halligan has announced today that Ireland has won a total of €336.7 million from the EU for Research and Innovation, equivalent to an average of €2.4 million every week.
The latest results on Ireland participation in Horizon 2020, the EU’s €75 billion programme for Research and Innovation, reveal that Ireland has won €336.7 million in competitive funding from the programme up to the end of September. This figure is an increase of €85 million, from the previous result of €251 million up to November 2015.
Higher Education Institutes accounted for €198 million or 59% of the total. Companies won €104 million or 31%, with €74 million of this going to SMEs.
Welcoming these results, Minister Halligan commented, "Horizon 2020 is an important source of funding for research and innovation in Ireland. It provides a mechanism for researchers and companies in Ireland to network and collaborate with the best researchers and leading companies across Europe."
He added, "These benefits are particularly important for a small, island nation. SMEs are a key target for Horizon 2020 and I am particularly pleased that Irish SMEs have secured €74 million in funding."
Source: www.businessworld.ie
