Industry representative groups have been invited by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin to apply to the new Enterprise Innovation Networks initiative for funding to promote new research themes.

Each Enterprise Innovation Network will focus on a research or technology theme that is of direct relevance to their members. The industry representative group behind each network will be expected to develop new initiatives to promote R&D and innovation activity under that theme to their membership.

This Enterprise Ireland initiative will provide up to €200,000 per annum for three years to four industry representative groups to establish an Enterprise Innovation Network.

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Making the announcement the Minister said: "This initiative gives industry representative groups the opportunity to play their part in developing the national innovation system through identifying relevant research and technology themes and advising their members on how to undertake R&D and innovation activity in these areas."

The Enterprise Innovation Network builds on research and innovation supports for companies such as the recently announced €500 million R&D grant scheme and Enterprise Ireland's €60 million Growth Fund.

Mr Martin added: "Groups representing companies are already aware of the challenges involved in engaging in R&D which is what makes these groups such powerful ambassadors for research and innovation".

This initiative is the most recent recommendation of the Government's Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-2013 to be put into action.

Feargal Ó Móráin Executive Director of Enterprise Ireland said: "Enterprise Ireland recognises that the organisations representing companies have established trust and shared experiences with their members. We want the representative groups to build on the strong relationships they already have with their member companies to provide independent and experience-based advice on the innovation and R&D options open to companies in Ireland."

(VB/JM)