A conference organised by InterTradeIreland in conjunction with the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland has raised awareness of the current and future opportunities for local companies and organisations to access European funding for research and innovation.

The 'Collaborate to Innovate' event encouraged companies and academics to collaborate and innovate in order to access EU funding initiatives such as the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7), which runs until 2013.

Delegates heard from other regions that have successfully secured funding including, North Rhine Westphalia, Navarre and Scotland.

Building Business

One local company, which has benefited from FP7 funding, is Cherry Pipes Ltd, a manufacturer of pre-cast pipes based in Dungannon.

Cherry pipes is the co-ordinating company on the 'Ultravisc' project which received a grant to process recycled polymers with a higher level of product quality and with greater efficiency than was previously possible.

Dr Paul Beaney, Technical Manager of Cherry Pipes believes that FP7 funding has been enormously beneficial and would encourage local businesses to attend the upcoming event.

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"As a small company with limited resources, the funding has given us access to world class research and technology developers across Europe, enabling us to deliver a ground-breaking product which will change the way plastic polymers are processed in our industry.

"A lot of organisations don’t know that this money exists and even if they do, they don't know how to access it.

"I would really encourage local companies to go along to this event to find out what FP7 funding is available and how to successfully apply for it.

"It is also an ideal opportunity to learn from those companies which have been successful and to network on possible future collaborations," the construction sector boss said.

All-Ireland

Aidan Gough, Strategy and Policy Director at InterTradeIreland, is keen to raise awareness of the opportunities available to local companies.

"Northern Ireland is extremely well resourced to benefit from the multi-billion funding opportunities offered through FP7 with its leading universities, research institutes and enterprising SME community.

"Through this conference we are looking to increase awareness of the funding opportunities, how to access them and how to go about developing project applications.

"We'll also be highlighting the enormous benefits and opportunities that exist through collaborating North/South and with other European regions in the various EU programmes."

Maurice Maxwell, Head of the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland, is also keen to encourage co-operation and added: "We at the European Commission are keen to work in partnership with organisations such as InterTradeIreland to encourage and inform local business and research organisations. "The conference brought together successful applicants and keynote speakers to pass on their knowledge of how to simplify the application process and increase the chances of securing funding."

(BMcC/GK)