Queen's awarded science and research funding

Researchers at Queen's University have been awarded almost £700,000 in funding to work in partnership with universities and colleges throughout Ireland on four new science and research projects.

The four projects are part of the Cross Border Programme for Research and Development contributing to Peace and Reconciliation.

Announcing the funding, which comes from the Special EU Programmes Body, via the North South Programme for Collaborative Research, Irish Minister for State Ms Sile De Valera said: "Ireland, and indeed this island, must now become friendly towards science and research. While it is important that this is done in a European context, it is also important to recognise our strengths, and more critically those of this island. This island has a long tradition of learning and, perhaps more importantly, of willingness to change."

The latest projects to receive funding are: 'Ethno-national identity in the border area'; ‘E-Consultation: evaluating appropriate technologies and processes for citizens' participation in public policy’; 'Mapping Frontiers, Plotting Pathways: Routes to North-South Co-operation in a divided island'; and 'Equality and Social Inclusion: A Framework for Peace and Stability in Ireland'.

This is the second strand of projects to be funded under the North South Programme. Last year, 21 different projects were approved for funding.

Queen's is playing a key part in fifteen of these, with funding to the value of euro 5.5 million awarded to its project researchers.

All of the projects funded under the North South Programme for Collaborative Research are carried out as partnerships between higher education institutions from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

(MB)