North/South Research Agreement Signed

An agreement has been signed today that will allow Queen’s University and the University of Ulster to participate as full academic partners in Science Foundation Ireland's 'Investigators Programme'.

Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry and the Irish Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton signed the agreement today.

The new partnership will support collaborative projects involving universities from both jurisdictions.

Dr Farry said: "I am grateful to the Minister, and to Professor Mark Ferguson, for their generous offer of collaboration in such an important and high-profile research programme.

"I am pleased to announce that my Department is making available funding of up to £8.4m over the next six years to enable Queen’s and the University of Ulster to participate in the next two annual calls, the first of which is due to be published by SFI next month."

Minister Bruton said: "This new 'SFI/DEL Investigators Programme Partnership' will benefit the island of Ireland both socially and economically. Improving our research and development infrastructure is a key priority for both Governments, and a key pillar upon which the Irish Government’s Action Plan for Jobs is built. Building upon our current achievements in the sector and delivering partnerships which allow for the improvement and sharing of knowledge will only heighten the potential for economic and societal impact on an all-island basis."

(IT/CD)