Since 2007, €30 million in EU funding from the FP7 programme has been awarded to Irish researchers. This funding supports 95 projects being carried out by colleges and companies throughout Ireland, alongside European partners, to protect and improve our environment.
At a conference today (October 6th), Irish and international experts addressed over 100 leading researchers to help them maximise success in accessing EU research funds. The EPA organises this National Information Day each year to promote the publication of FP7-Environment calls, facilitate networking and increase cooperation between European research teams. The FP7 programme will run until 2013.
Speaking at the event, Laura Burke, Director, EPA Office of Climate, Licensing and Resource Use, said: “Today’s event is part of the support the EPA provides to Irish researchers to help them leverage funding from the EU to undertake research needed to tackle urgent environmental issues. In the current economic climate, we must maximise the value from environmental research that has been funded nationally, by the EPA and others. Research plays a critical role in supporting environmental management.”
Dr Imelda Lambkin, Enterprise Ireland – who is the National Director of Ireland’s National Support Network for FP7 – provided an update on Ireland’s success under the FP7 programme.
Other presenters included Prof David Taylor from Trinity College Dublin, who is leading a research project looking at human health and environmental change in east Africa; Dr Anthony Grehan, from NUI Galway, who is participating in a number of research projects looking at the marine environment including the effects of climate change; Dr Enrique Playan from the Spanish National Research Council who described major future opportunities in the area of water quality and quantity and Dr Julian Wilson – from the European Commission – who spoke about research needs for developing earth observation technologies.