Since being awarded the ecoRIS3 the concept of SMART specialisation has really been highlighted and discussions have taken place on CIT and eventually the MTU having its own institutional RIS3- feeding up eventually to Regional and National RIS strategies.
This was the sentiment leading up to the organisation of a very well attended event last week in Cork, where over 40 Senior Researchers from CIT and University College Cork, under the ecoRIs3 banner, joined together to take an overview of the performance of both institutions in the area of European Research Funding.
Director of Research at CIT Dr. Niall Smith, presented details of the Irish Higher Education scoreboard, where it was noted that both institution has a success rate in Horizon 2020 , marginally in excess of 13%.
In the sessions which followed, staff were briefed on other EU funding programmes, such as Interreg A and B programmes, The Erasmus + Programme and also the potential for Research funding from the European Space Agency.
Details of the funding and application mechanisms were discussed and presentation were made giving practical information on projects currently underway.
A lively discussion took place on all aspects of applying for research funding and it was agreed to shortly repeat the event, with a greater focus on the finer point of making a H2020 application, as well as building the SMART approach in terms of prioritising the Calls to be addressed, as well as working more with strategic partners in Industry and Research around Europe.
