Tapping into resources for businesses

Ireland has a comprehensive network of research expertise and expert knowledge throughout Knowledge Transfer Ireland’s research facilities in universities and institutes of technology. This is a resource for businesses, large and small, which remains untapped.

“At Knowledge Transfer Ireland, our role is to make it simpler and more straightforward to tap into this resource by guiding businesses to the right research so they can leverage this expertise, says Alison Campbell, director at KTI.

“It has been proven that companies that engage with the third level are more competitive and achieve higher turnover. KTI provides businesses with a range of practical tools and resources to help businesses engage with the research base. Some of these resources include our research, development and innovation [RD&I] funding tool, practical guides on important areas like intellectual property and State aid, and our recently launched directory for RD&I supports,” she says.

The new directory for RDI supports for enterprise is Ireland’s comprehensive guide to publicly-funded research and development. It serves as a reference point for anyone seeking to innovate through research and development. It includes details on how to access expertise, facilities and RD&I funding. Throughout 2020, KTI led a steering group on behalf of the Department of Business, Trade and Enterprise to develop a new national directory of research, development and innovation supports for industry.

This directory is the go-to guide for business, large or small and anything in between, looking to find out more about the kind of research and innovation that’s available from third level and other State research institutes. It is the ideal signpost for finding out who businesses should talk to, how to access publicly funded research, and understand what kind of funding options are available to support their research, development and innovation.

Funding supports are available for businesses of all sizes, from micro-SMEs through to multinationals. The directory is available to download for free on the KTI website and is a great place for businesses to start to gain an understanding of their needs. KTI also has a team of experts ready to assist at any stage of a business's innovation journey.

Funding

There is a range of funding available for RD&I in Ireland depending on factors including the type of research needs a business might have, the type of research project they might be seeking to undertake or their stage on the “innovation journey”. From the Enterprise Ireland innovation vouchers worth €5,000, to the Enterprise Ireland/IDA innovation partnership programme that provides between 40 per cent and 80 per cent of research costs on eligible projects up to a maximum of €200,000, or collaborative research funding under the Science Foundation Ireland Spokes programme that offers 50:50 funding on projects.

There are also larger funding opportunities through programmes such as the DTIF (Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund) or through Horizon Europe, the European Union R&D funding programme.

“Innovation is becoming increasingly important, not least as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic and seek to drive economic recovery. Companies that innovate are proven to perform better and tapping into the research available from third level is an ideal way to drive forward business innovation,” Campbell says.

“In particular, it can be an attractive option for businesses that may not have the financial or human resources available in-house, but have noticed an opportunity to deliver a solution to a real-world problem. KTI helps businesses to innovate, and the new national directory for RD&I supports for enterprise should be the first port of call for those seeking to leverage the value of publicly-funded research.”