EU Funds - Research and Innovation

Under the European Structural and Investment Funds, Research and Innovation is supported by two funds: the European Regional Development Fund and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

These funds support three programmes. The European Regional Development Fund supports the Southern and Eastern Regional Operational Programme and the Border, Midland and Western Regional Operational Programme. The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development supports the Rural Development Programme.

The projects that support Research and Innovation include the knowledge transfer groups that help farmers share innovative practices, research by Ireland’s Institutes of Higher Education, and commercialisation of research with partners in the Private Sector.

Science Foundation Ireland Research Centres

European Regional Development Fund

We co-fund grants for 5 Research Centres in Ireland. These are managed by Science Foundation Ireland who are currently supporting 12 Research Centres around the country, and European funding will be used to co-fund this initiative.

For details of this scheme, please take a look at the Science Foundation Ireland website.

Knowledge Transfer Programme

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development

The Knowledge Transfer Programme helps farmers to deal with complex issues relating to farm management. Farmers will attend group meetings facilitated by qualified advisors. The goal of these group meetings is for farmers to build capacity in a group environment, and to encourage the transfer and exchange of information and best practice.

For more details about the Knowledge Transfer Programme, please visit the Department of Agriculture’s website.

Commercialisation Fund

European Regional Development Fund

Implemented by Enterprise Ireland, this scheme provides grants to researchers who want to bring their research to market, or to help industry bring a new idea to market.

Researchers in third level institutes and non-profit agencies in Ireland are eligible to apply.

For more detail on this scheme, visit the Enterprise Ireland website.

Funds which invest in Research and Innovation

Each of the Funds below invests in Research and Innovation. Click to explore the other investments made by each Fund.

• European Regional Development Fund
• European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development