US-Ireland Research Innovation Awards: Promoting excellence in innovation

Ireland as a nation has long been renowned as a small country with a global impact. From quality of life to diversity and inclusion, from business and innovation to education, Ireland is a global leader.

Ireland is ranked second in the world for quality of life, proportionally we have the fourth most international workforce in the EU, Ireland is ranked as the 10^th most innovative country and ranks in the top 10 globally for universities meeting the needs of a competitive economy.

At the heart of these impressive statistics is a society and a business economy that has prioritised innovation as the path to a better future, and US multinationals have been among the most innovative players along this journey.

US-Ireland Research Innovation Awards

Now in their eighth year, the US-Ireland Research Innovation Awards, jointly presented by the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland (AmCham) and the Royal Irish Academy, recognise excellence in research innovation, creation and invention by multinationals as well as SMEs, organisations, higher education institutions and research centres with links to the US multinational sector.

“Ireland has a global reputation as a centre of innovation and talent,” says AmCham chief executive, Mark Redmond. “At AmCham, we recognise that in order for Ireland to remain a competitive economy and an attractive location for talent to live and work, innovation must continue to be prioritised.”

Redmond added: “These Awards, first presented in 2015, have shone a light on the impact that US companies have on driving cutting edge-research in Ireland, with global impact, both through their own teams and in partnership with SMEs and research and education institutions.”

Sponsors

This year the Awards will be jointly sponsored by BT Ireland and EY and will feature two exciting new award categories recognising Innovation in Sustainability and Innovation in Enabling Technologies. A third award recognising Innovation in Talent Development will also be up for grabs.

Redmond says: “The introduction of the awards for Innovation in Sustainability and in Enabling Technologies will recognise the impact that Irish-based teams are having on two areas of critical challenge and opportunity for the global community.”

The new award for Innovation in Sustainability will recognise a team demonstrating transformational change in environmental, economic, or social sustainability. An organisation who can show outstanding innovation in technologies that drive digital engagement will be the recipient of the 2022 award for Innovation in Enabling Technologies.

Finally, the Innovation in Talent Development award, which is returning in 2022, recognises an organisation for their outstanding performance in managing, promoting creativity and collaboration in the development of talent.

Dr Mary Canning, president, Royal Irish Academy says: “Since 2015, the Royal Irish Academy’s collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce on the US-Ireland Research Innovation Awards has demonstrated our core value of recognising and celebrating excellence in research innovation.

We are delighted to collaborate once again on the 2022 Awards and to focus our attention on innovation in the key areas of sustainability, enabling technologies and talent development.”

Professor Brian Norton, MRIA, chair 2022 US-Ireland Research Innovation Awards assessment process says: “Excellence in research innovation originating here in Ireland has global impact and these Awards highlight how this work, with the support of US FDI in particular, impacts lives and benefits society.”

Speaking on the new award for Innovation in Sustainability, professor Norton added: “Sustainability is a core concern for academics, industry, government and citizens. In these Awards, we want to recognise organisations demonstrating transformative research innovation in environmental, economic or social sustainability to celebrate their impacts and achievements and to contribute to encouraging greater sustainability in the future.”

The prestigious Awards will be presented at AmCham’s Annual Dinner on May 20th in front of an audience of 700 members and guests at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road.

These Awards have shone a light on the impact that US companies have on driving cutting edge-research in Ireland

Speaking about BT Ireland’s sponsorship of the Awards, BT Ireland’s managing director, Shay Walsh says: “BT Ireland is passionate about enabling technology, nurturing talent and doing business sustainably – and our people are bringing great innovations to our customers and to the market in these key areas. That is why we are really delighted to partner with AmCham Ireland, the Royal Irish Academy and EY on the Innovation Awards and the AmCham Annual Dinner next May.”

Walsh added: “In my role, I am fortunate to see great examples of innovative teams every day – BT Ireland is looking forward to supporting these Awards in bringing deserved recognition for innovation with impact in the coming months.”

Speaking about EY’s sponsorship of the Awards, the firm’s managing partner, Frank O’Keeffe says “EY is really delighted to partner with the American Chamber, the Royal Irish Academy and BT Ireland on this prestigious Awards Programme.

“We work with many of the world’s top multinationals in every sector and are very much aware of the importance they place on driving continuous innovation across talent development, sustainability and enabling technology.”

O’Keeffe added: “This ethos and ambition is one we share in EY around the globe also, and hence this partnership with AmCham is one that is particularly meaningful for us. We are looking forward to honouring the award winners next May.”

[ awards@ria.ie ]