Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI), has announced details of a new interactive “Find R&D Funding” tool, which will provide organisations with a mechanism to help them source funding and supports for research and development activity in Ireland. The easy to use resource was launched at KTI’s Knowledge Transfer Summit which brought together over 300 entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, universities, Institutes of Technology and publicly-funded research organisations (RPOs).
KTI helps business to benefit from access to Irish expertise and technology by making it simple to connect and engage with this research base in Ireland, thus progressing innovation, the commercialisation of research, job creation and economic prosperity. The Find Funding resource – now freely available on the KTI website – provides information on the various sources of funding, incentives and other supports available for organisations interested in engaging in R&D.
Minister Halligan said, “The Government is committed to cultivating a system and infrastructure in this country where research and innovation can excel. The number and range of supports on offer by the Irish state to support enterprise innovation directly and indirectly are critical to driving increased levels of innovation in Ireland. By contributing to increased academic-industry collaboration and enhanced in-firm capabilities these supports help deliver on the ambition contained in Innovation 2020 – the Government’s strategy for research and development, science and technology. KTI’s new interactive tool can help make it easier to find the most appropriate supports for your organisation. I strongly encourage organisations to avail of this marvellous and one-off resource when thinking about embarking on their next research project.”
Ireland now ranks tenth in the world in the Global Innovation Index 2017 and has been cited as the most R&D effective country in the EU, achieving maximum innovation output per euro of public funding.
Commenting on the sector Dr Alison Campbell, Director of KTI, said, “The knowledge transfer sector in Ireland is maturing, driven through active engagement in the processes by companies and entrepreneurs working with the research base. We are seeing an increase in the level of investment – both public and private – in the space. With this in mind, the KTI Knowledge Transfer Summit was timely in bringing discussion to the fore relating to the investment in early stage companies as well as supports that can benefit more general research engagements.”
She continued “To further progress the level of innovation and R&D activity in Ireland it is vital that industry can access the most appropriate sources of funding and support for their research and development projects. Our goal at KTI is to drive awareness regarding the resources available, which is why we are delighted to launch the Knowledge Transfer Ireland “Find Funding” resource. We have received very positive feedback to date from industry on the tools available through our website and we anticipate the new tool will help further drive this.”