Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD announced today that Ireland has officially surpassed the €1 billion mark in funding secured from the EU’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation – Horizon Europe.
With a national target of €1.5bn (1.6%) of Horizon Europe’s €95.5bn budget from 2021-2027, Ireland is firmly on track to meet and likely exceed the target set in Impact 2030. To date, Irish organisations have been awarded €1.02 billion, which equates to 2.09% of the €49 billion awarded so far, showing that Ireland is tracking ahead of its target.
This funding to Irish Higher Education Institutions, research organisations and companies facilitates excellent and impactful research and innovation as well as important transnational collaboration with stakeholders across the European Union and beyond. Core and competitive funding provided by the Higher Education Authority and Research Ireland, respectively, are key enablers of success for Irish researchers and innovators in Horizon Europe.
Irish institutions are supported by the Horizon Europe National Support Network, comprised of 32 National Contact Points and National Delegates drawn from 10 Irish research and innovation-active agencies. This network of experts assists researchers and innovators develop proposals to secure competitive awards and increase Ireland’s research and innovation footprint on a European and global scale.
Speaking today, Minister Lawless said: “Reaching €1 billion in Horizon Europe funding is a significant achievement for Ireland and a clear endorsement of the world-class talent within our research and innovation community. This achievement demonstrates that Ireland is not just competing but is a strong innovator on the European stage.
“Irish researchers’ work includes the ongoing development of a new type of bio-based artificial lung to support patients as they await transplant and a project that looked at ways to reduce underwater radiated noise to help protect the marine life so vital to our island.
“Horizon Europe funding facilitates individual research excellence and also transnational collaboration with researchers and innovators across Europe and beyond.
“I highlight the importance of the support of the National Support Network and encourage our research and innovation stakeholders to continue to build on their success – driving discovery, fostering innovation, and ensuring that research delivers real benefits for society, the economy, and our shared future in Europe.”
Enterprise Ireland, which leads the Horizon Europe National Support Network, praised the achievement as a reflection of Ireland’s strategic investment in innovation and international partnerships.
Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, added:
“Enterprise Ireland welcomes this milestone achievement, bringing Ireland’s accumulated funding approvals to €1bn since the introduction of the Horizon Europe programme in 2021, and clearly reinforces the level of innovation and ingenuity emerging from our small open economy. Ireland’s overall success in the Horizon Europe programme, supported by Enterprise Ireland in our National Contact Point capacity, shines a spotlight on the innovation and capability of our companies to compete on a global level, and this funding provides the critical support required to enable these innovative companies to develop and scale their businesses.”