Irish Research Council receives ‘Champion of EU Research’ award
Posted: 28 June, 2017
The Irish Research Council was honoured to receive the Horizon 2020 achievement award for ‘excellent science, industrial leadership and tackling societal challenges’ today. John Halligan TD, Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development with Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland presented the outstanding achievement awards to academic researchers, companies and research organisations that have reached the pinnacle of European research at the ‘Ireland’s Champions of EU Research’ event which took place in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
The event recognised the immense contribution of the award winners and all project leaders from Ireland to our national success in the €75 billion Horizon 2020 EU Framework Programme for research and innovation. Enterprise Ireland hosted the event on behalf of Ireland’s National Support Network for Horizon 2020. Speaking ahead of the presentation of awards the Minister said “I am delighted to be here today among this impressive and diverse representation of the Irish research community. The breadth of projects nominated for awards today inspires confidence in the continued excellence and dedication to research and innovation in Irish society. I was particularly impressed to note the variety of Universities, Higher Education Institutes, agencies and companies that are competing at the highest levels of European research.”
Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland added “Today’s event celebrates the achievements of collaboration between academic research and industry. Horizon 2020 is an important source of funding for research and innovation and provides a mechanism for researchers and Irish enterprise to network and collaborate with the best researchers and leading companies across Europe. These benefits are particularly important for a small, open economy like ours. The award winners here today are a source of inspiration for others and I’d like to wish them every success with their current projects and in their future endeavours.”
Dr Imelda Lambkin, National Director for Horizon 2020 reiterated that “today is about recognising what has worked well for Ireland’s researchers to date and applying that knowledge to position Ireland to make best use of the available funding from Horizon 2020 and FP9. We call on our EU Champions to lead this initiative as role models and mentors”.
