Foster welcomes £13.8 Million EU funding call for Research & Innovation

Date published: 02 October 2015

Finance Minister Arlene Foster MLA welcomed the opening of a £13.8million EU funding call for Research & Innovation projects targeted at small and medium sized enterprises.

The funding call, under the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is targeted at SMEs, micro-businesses and research institutions in Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland. It aims to encourage increased cross-border co-operation to promote higher levels of Research & Innovation (R&I) in the development of new products, processes and tradable services.

Announcing the funding call, which has a deadline of 21 October 2015, the Finance Minister Arlene Foster MLA, said: “Northern Ireland has already benefited significantly from previous INTERREG programmes and this current call for business investment in Research & Innovation, will particularly benefit small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

"I expect that this investment will lead to an increased number of SMEs that are research and innovation active and will increase the number engaged in cross-border research and innovation activities.”

Match-funding for this call may be provided by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in Ireland and the Scottish Executive.

Full application details for the INTERREG VA “Business Investment in Research & Innovation” funding call are available to download now from the seupb website.

The INTERREG VA Programme has a value of €283 million (£208million) and aims to address the economic and social problems which result from the existence of borders. The Programme operates within a clearly defined area including Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland.

Notes to editors: 

  1. Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9081 6724 or 028 9081 6725. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
  2. For SEUPB media enquiries please contact John McCandless, Communications Manager with the SEUPB on Mob. 07834 778018 or via e-mail john.mccandless@seupb.eu
  3. The Special EU Programmes Body is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in Ireland. It is responsible for managing two EU Structural Funds Programmes, PEACE IV and INTERREG VA which are designed to enhance cross-border co-operation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society. For more information on the SEUPB please visit the seupb website.

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