NI Businesses Prepare For EU Funding Programme

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has launched a strategy to prepare Northern Ireland for a funding programme which could create business collaborations across the EU.

The 'Northern Ireland Horizon 2020 Action Plan' sets out the key actions to be carried out during 2013 to ensure local companies and researchers can succeed at Horizon 2020.

The programme is the estimated €80bn successor to the European Union Research and Development programme.

Horizon 2020 begins January 2014 and will offer Northern Ireland companies the opportunity to secure funding and to create new collaborations across Europe.

Emphasising the importance of Horizon 2020 to Northern Ireland Arlene Foster said: "Supporting our local companies and research organisations to be more successful in EU R&D funding programmes is of critical importance in building a more dynamic and innovative economy for Northern Ireland.

"With its increased focus on SME’s, Horizon 2020 will also provide an important opportunity for more local businesses to engage in R&D, something which I am particularly keen to encourage."

Some of the key actions outlined include enhancing the direct support provided to those local companies and researchers that wish to engage in Horizon 2020.

Minister Foster's Action Plan also hopes to raise awareness of Horizon 2020 opportunities.

Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry, has also welcomed the publication of the Action Plan: "This Action Plan builds upon the creation of the new £1.8m Higher Education EU Support Fund, funded jointly by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

"It will establish a network of research experts to work directly with companies and research organisations who want to engage in Horizon 2020. In this way, the Action Plan highlights the coordinated approach the Executive is taking in engaging with EU R&D funding programmes."

(IT/GK)