Lero announces Horizon 2020 seminar

Irish firms and researchers need to make a New Year Resolution to start preparing now if they are to achieve a target of at least €1 billion in research grants under the EU Horizon 2020 innovation programme.

This was stated by Professor Brian Fitzgerald, chief scientist of Lero, the Irish Software Engineering Research Centre, at the announcement of a Horizon 2020 seminar and workshop which took place in UCD on January 10th.

“Ireland has declared a target of winning at least €1 billion in research grants under the Horizon 2020 programme which is a significant increase on our performance under previous EU funding programs.  This requires an effort from both academic and industry participants in Ireland. We cannot afford to wait as the first deadlines for a significant proportion of the budget will be in April this year.”

The UCD seminar will include presentations and workshops by Lero industry and academic partners as well as Enterprise Ireland designed to unlock the potential of the Horizon 2020 grants for Ireland.

“Irish firms need to partner with an academic institution in order to avail of this programme,” added Prof Fitzgerald. “Applications also require involvement of at least three EU member states but Irish universities can bring this to the table.”