EU & International STI Policy and Programmes
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Role of the Unit
The Role of the Unit is to develop and articulate Ireland's position on EU R&D Policies and Research Funding Programmes.
• European Research Area
• Framework Programme
• A Mobility Strategy for the European Research Area
• European Space Agency
• EUREKA Network
European Research Area
The Lisbon European Council of March 2000 adopted the ambitious ten-year goal of making the European union the world's most dynamic, competitive and sustainable knowledge based economy. In addition, the Barcelona European Council in March 2003 agreed the goal of increasing expenditure on Research, Technology and Innovation in the Union with the aim of approaching 3% of GDP by 2010 and that two thirds of the increased investment should come from the private sector.
Ireland is committed to working closely with the European Commission to pursue the objective of increasing investment on R&D in the Union with the aim of approaching 3% of GDP by 2010. This objective is strategically in line with our national priority to develop a globally competitive and sustainable knowledge-based economy.
In June 2006 the Government published its Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation. The SSTI sets out initatives for Ireland in the context of the Lisbon and Barcelona strategies and represents a substantial reinforcement of the Government's commitment to significantly increased public investment in R&D, increased business expenditure on R&D and a doubling of Ireland's output of PhDs.
EU Research Framework Programme
Background
The Research Framework Programmes are the EU’s main instrument for funding research in Europe and have been operating successfully since 1984. They have played a particularly important role in bringing European researchers (in academia and in industry) together in collaborative research projects, in facilitating the mobility of researchers across Europe and in supporting economic and social development. Irish participation in the Framework Programmes over the last 20 years has provided essential funding and collaborations, which have fostered the growth and development of the Irish research base.
Ireland participated actively in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), which spanned the period 2003 to 2006 with a budget of approx ¤17 billion, and Irish researchers and companies have been successful in securing approximately ¤210 million from FP6.
Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)
The current Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) has a budget of over ¤50 billion, covering the seven-year period 2007 to 2013 and it has been designed to build on the achievements of its predecessor towards the creation of the European Research Area and carry it further towards the development of the knowledge economy and society in Europe. The Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) identified active participation in FP7, on the part of both public research organizations and the private sector, as being key to the internationalization of Ireland’s research and, therefore, central to realizing the vision on which the strategy is based. A target of ¤600 million has been set for Irish participation in FP7
New National Support Structure for SP7
In order to extract the maximum benefit from the opportunities available within FP7, a new National Support Network has been put in place, headed up by a National Director for FP7 who leads a team based in Enterprise Ireland. This new support structure ensures that a coordinated and coherent approach is adopted towards FP7 across all of the government departments, agencies and other organisations involved. Through this support structure a mix of guidance, advice and financial assistance is available to encourage researchers and enterprises, where appropriate, to avail of the opportunities within the programme. More information is available on the Irish National Support Structure for FP7 at http://www.fp7ireland.com
A Mobility Strategy for the European Research Area
The Mobility Strategy for the ERA (Insert Link) "A Mobility Strategy for the European Research Area (2001)" and the researcher's career development policy provide a coherent framework for Member States and the Commission to create a single, open, attractive and competitive European labour market for researchers. Substantial progress has been made to reduce mobility obstacles and to enhance skills and competences for career development across sectors and disciplines.
The European Network of Mobility Centres aims to deliver practical information and assistance on all aspects of living, working in and moving to a particular country. Ireland's Researcher Mobility office provides up-to-date information and assistance to researchers (and their families) undertaking research positions in Ireland or abroad. The Mobility Portal http://www.researchcareersireland.com/ offers practical information and advice on matters such as visa entry, residence and work permits, schooling, housing, social welfare, child care and language courses.
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Last modified: 11/03/2008
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