New funding programmes have been announced as part of a major shake-up of Science Foundation Ireland, one of the State's key support bodies for scientific research.
Changes include a new scheme specifically for scientists working in the State and large-scale financial backing for joint industry/ third-level research projects.
The new SFI strategy was announced in Dublin yesterday by the Tánaiste, Ms Harney; the Minister of State for Science Technology and Commerce, Mr Noel Treacy; and the director general of the foundation, Dr William Harris.
It provides a more extensive funding package for science and should help translate research findings into jobs and new companies, according to Dr Harris.
"It is a fundamental change," he said yesterday. "It is a new science foundation and you will get more bang for the buck and more clarity of purpose."
Dr Harris was appointed last September and said he had spent the last four or five months talking to faculty, industry leaders and Government about how SFI activities could become more focused. He got Government clearance for the changes last December and presented them for SFI board approval at its inaugural meeting at the end of January. The changes had received strong board support.
The Tánaiste launched SFI in 2000 and it had been overseen by Forfás until Dr Harris's arrival. The changes represent a considerable departure, adding to its start- up remit of backing large research projects led by world-class scientists from home or abroad.
This original role is retained as the SFI Fellow Awards. These are meant to help companies and third-level institutions to recruit world-class researchers with support worth up to €1 million a year for five years.
A key change is the new SFI Research Centres for Science and Technology Grants programme. This is worth up to €5 million a year and supports major research partnerships linking scientists and engineers with industrial counterparts.
It seeks to foster clusters of world-class researchers and high levels of local collaboration.
Another addition is the SFI Investigator Programme Grants scheme. This gives up to €250,000 per year to support projects proposed by scientists based here.
Other new funding schemes include a visitor programme that aims to bring leading international scientists to third-level institutions. There is also a "workshop and conference" grant to help institutions host international events.
The SFI board approved a recommendation that it join Columbia University's International Innovation Initiative Network in the area of technology transfer and intellectual property rights. The idea is to help identify promising research.
The technology transfer programme should help enhance Ireland's reputation for quality research and also help produce research activity, Dr Harris said. "I want it as a lever to encourage multinationals to come in here with research centres and to stay here."
All proposals for funding under any programme would be subject to external peer review, he said."This is not a welfare programme, this is not automatic funding - this is about excellence for Ireland. Money isn't the issue, it is spending the money well," he said.
