On 10 March, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has published Ireland’s preliminary position on FP10. In the paper, Ireland underlines that the EU needs to maintain its world-renowned R&I flagship programme. Ireland is clearly in favour of a dedicated and integrated programme whith an adequate and ring-fenced budget. They would like to stick with the three pillars, but see potential for improvement including a holistic approach for all types of infrastructures, streamline R&I partnership landscape and a MFF wide approach with corresponding governance for missions.
This paper sets out Ireland’s priorities for FP10:
- Excellence must remain the primary criterion for the award of framework programme funding to maintain Europe’s track record for producing excellent research;
- Innovation of all types from incremental to disruptive innovation must be supported to drive Europe’s competitiveness and ensure sustainable growth; and
- Implementation tools underpinning FP10 must be effective and fit for purpose to ensure that the framework programme continues to be transformative.