Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, and the Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary, announced funding of a further €58.8 million to 12 new projects under the Disruptive Technology Innovation Fund (DTIF).
Announcing these projects, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney, said, “I am delighted to announce this significant new funding of almost €60 million from the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund which underlines our commitment to advancing pioneering technology development in Ireland. The projects are diverse and some are potentially life-changing, such as providing a new minimally invasive and targeted treatment for metastatic lung cancer or using AI to detect abnormal brain activity in infants at birth.”
“These disruptive projects will also ensure that Ireland’s research and innovation ecosystem is well placed to capitalise on emerging growth sectors while delivering on net zero commitments, decarbonisation and digital transformation, in line with the objectives of the White Paper for Enterprise.”
Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science added, “Impact 2030 positions Ireland to become a leader in research and innovation and a first-choice destination for researchers. The projects emerging from government investment through this Fund are crucial to the continued growth of Ireland’s research and innovation sector. These collaborative projects are expanding the research agenda and are providing valuable learning opportunities for graduates from home and abroad. This supports us in driving excellence in our higher education institutions and providing a sustainable stream of skilled professionals with the expertise and knowledge needed to create and deliver emerging disruptive technologies.”
Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary said, “emerging disruptive technologies play a pivotal role in securing our continued economic progress and these 12 DTIF projects demonstrate the ability of Irish enterprises to harness such technologies and provide sustainable jobs in priority sectors of the economy. I particularly welcome that several projects incorporate the use of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud technologies and data analytics. Not only are the projects helping to sustain Ireland’s attractiveness to global technology businesses, but it’s also evidence of a supportive innovation ecosystem which has been put in place to support AI adoption in enterprise which is central to the National AI Strategy.”
DTIF continues to drive collaboration between enterprises and research institutions across Ireland, particularly SMEs. A further 22 SMEs are partners in the 12 projects announced today, with 8 of those SMEs leading their project. The 189 SMEs participating in the 103 DTIF projects announced under DTIF Calls to date represent half of the 382 project partners involved.
Leo Clancy, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said, “projects funded under previous DTIF calls are supporting ground-breaking technologies with real commercial value that have the capacity to address some of the biggest global challenges. I expect the funding provided to 12 new projects under this investment round will have a similar impact. DTIF is a vital funding stream for both the Irish research community and innovative companies looking to collaborate and Enterprise Ireland is proud to play a role in its delivery.”
DTIF projects are utilising industrial research and experimental development to create products and services that have the potential to alter markets and the way that businesses operate. The strong industry-academia collaboration which is required under DTIF is key to ensuring that government investment through this fund is impactful for both the economy and society. The 143 Research Performing Organisations awarded funding in DTIF Calls to date ensures the expertise, training and knowledge necessary to help make the projects a success.
This funding means that to date €364 million has been awarded to 103 projects across 6 DTIF Calls.
