Research and Innovation funding boost

Finance Minister, Arlene Foster MLA has welcomed the opening of a £13.8 million EU funding call for research and innovation projects targeted at small and medium sized enterprises.

The funding call has been made under the EU’s INTERREG VA programme and is targeted at SME’s, micro-businesses and research institutions in Northern Ireland, the border region and western Scotland. It aims to encourage increased cross-border co-operation to promote the development of new products, process and tradeable services.

Speaking about the announcement the Minister claimed Northern Ireland had already benefitted significantly from previous INTERREG programs and this current call for business research will benefit small and medium sized enterprises and increase the “number engaged in cross-border research and innovation activities.”