Research Newsletter – Issue 62: Information and Updates

Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Fund (CF) has proven popular with DCU researchers. Over the last 10 years, DCU researchers have obtained almost 100 CF awards totalling almost €19M. The aim of the Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund Programme is to improve the competitiveness of the Irish economy through the creation of technology based start-up companies via the transfer of innovations developed in the university. Individual awards regularly range from €100k to €350k for 1 to 3 year research and commercialisation programmes.

The next CF call is anticipated to be in July. The programme is open to all university researchers. The application process requires equal emphasis on the commercial as well as the technical programme. To aid with the application, DCU Invent and Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Specialist (EI CS) can assist with preparation of the application and provide guidance and advice. Post award, DCU Invent and the EI CS work collaboratively with awardees to maximise the chances of a commercial outcome.

On Tuesday March 23^rd at 2.30pm, DCU Invent is hosting a call with the EI CS for Lifesciences (Peter O’Fegan) to discuss the CF programme in more detail and how they can aid researchers with ideas that have commercial potential apply. They will also field any questions interested researchers may have. You can join the call via the following link: https://dcu-ie.zoom.us/j/93888690455 .

SFI’s new strategy “Shaping Our Future: Delivering Today, Preparing for Tomorrow” has been launched. The strategy sets two core ambitions: 

1) to develop more top talent, build on Ireland’s excellent research base, and maximise the tangible benefits for Irish economy and society, addressing current challenges and supporting quality jobs and a competitive economy; 

2) to develop a cohesive research ecosystem capable of taking first mover advantage in new and emergent fields, and to identify and develop the future skills required for Ireland’s future economy and society. 

Among the strategy’s ambitious targets and actions in order to meet the above objectives are: increasing the number of SFI individual-led awards to 140 annually by 2025; attracting 20 world-leading researchers to Ireland annually by 2025; increasing the number of SFI Centres for Research Training to 18 by 2025; etc. Full text of the SFI Strategy 2025 is available on the SFI website here .

The Royal Irish Academy will be running an online symposium on the need for a sustainable framework in Ireland for deliberating on bioethical responses. 

The event will take place on the 15th of April 2021 with discussion taking place over three panels:

• Panel 1: Ethics & public health - from infectious diseases to pandemics: the case of COVID-19

• Panel 2: New genomic opportunities and challenges in Ireland

• Panel 3: Healthcare ethics, vaccines, and public trust

By reflecting on the questions of ‘what is ethical’ within these topics the panels will crucially address the broader issue of ‘how do we discuss and manage such ethical disagreements’ in response to future developments (and crises) in health care, science, and technology.

The full programme and booking information can be found here. The session is open to all and will bring Irish bioethicists, academics, patient and industry representatives, policymakers and the public to the discussion.

The UK is expected to soon become an associated country to the EU’s R&I Framework Programme Horizon Europe. The UK will therefore have the same rights and obligations as other countries associated to the Programme.

The UK is associating to the full Horizon Europe programme with the only exception of the EIC Fund (which is the loan/equity instrument of the EIC, see below). The scope of association includes the European Research Council (ERC), the Marie Curie-Skłodowska Actions, the six ‘Global Challenges’ clusters and Missions, the partnerships, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, etc. UK entities are not eligible to participate in the EIC Fund part of the EIC Accelerator, since the UK decided not to take part in financial instruments of the EU. This means UK entities can apply for grants under the Accelerator but they will not be eligible for loans or equity. They can also participate on an equal footing with entities from EU Member States and other associated countries in the EIC’s Pathfinder component.

For more details, please see here. 

As specified in EU H2020 Grant Agreements, any communication activity related to the funded project (including in electronic form, via social media, etc.) and any infrastructure, equipment and major results funded by an EU H2020 grant must acknowledge the receipt of EU funding.

This EU website can help generate unique labels which can then be placed on any equipment purchased with the EU funding. 

On the 11th February 2021 the European Commission published a new factsheet on key gender equality provisions under Horizon Europe, reaffirming its commitment to gender equality in research and innovation. The legal base sets gender equality as a crosscutting priority and introduces strengthened provisions, integrating the gender dimension into research and innovation content. The goal is to improve the European research and innovation system, create gender-equal working environments where all talents can thrive and better integrate the gender dimension in projects to improve research quality as well as the relevance to society of the knowledge, technologies and innovations produced.

Gender equality plans will also gradually become part of the eligibility criteria for public bodies, research organisations and higher education establishments applying to the programme. Although the new mandatory requirement is only expected to be introduced for the 2022 calls, the DCU Gender/EDI Action Plan is already in place and ensures DCU full compliance.

The Factsheet on ‘Gender Equality: a strengthened commitment in Horizon Europe’ summarises the new key provisions.