Gildernew launches Research Fund

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA today launched the DARD Research Challenge Fund.

The Fund will challenge consortia of industry and public sector research providers to come forward with collaborative research and development projects, for which DARD will provide grant of up to 50% of eligible costs. It will be targeted initially at small and medium sized businesses from the primary production sector.

Launching the Fund, Minister Gildernew said: “Nowadays, it is widely recognised that research and innovation are vital for any business to succeed in the global economy but for many, especially smaller businesses, the prospect of getting involved can be very daunting. Through the Challenge Fund, we hope to remove some of the barriers to research and encourage rural businesses to embrace R&D as a means of improving their competitiveness and sustainability. It will do this by providing access to financial help and encouraging businesses to work together to tap into the wealth of scientific expertise and facilities available in our research institutions.

“I hope the Fund will help rural businesses see the potential of research and innovation and will get more businesses involved, perhaps for the first time.”

Application packs for the Research Challenge Fund are available from today by telephoning the Research Challenge Fund Team on 028 90 525036 or by emailing RCF@dardni.gov.uk. The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 3.00pm on 5 May 2010.

Notes to editors:

1. The Research Challenge Fund (RCF) is a key element of the DARD Evidence and Innovation Strategy, launched in July 2009 and also one of the Foundation Initiatives of the cross-departmental Regional Innovation Strategy Action Plan 2008-11. The Strategy can be viewed at the DARD website.

2. The key objectives of the Fund are:

• to improve the competitiveness of rural enterprises and create wealth from the research base;
• to increase the number of rural enterprises engaging in effective research and development (R&D) - including those participating for the first time – and the level of private sector expenditure on R&D;
• to increase the level of collaboration between the north of Ireland’s rural enterprises and the local, national and international research base; and
• increase collaboration and effective cooperation between rural enterprises.

3. Industry partners must be from the agri-food and rural sector and have manufacturing or processing capability or other rural economic activity in the north of Ireland. Research partners must be public sector research establishments. It is not essential for the research partner to be located in the north, but there must be a clear benefit to the north from the proposed R&D.

4. Only projects classified as industrial research or experimental development will be eligible for funding.

5. The current budget for the Fund is £730,000 and funding will be available until 31 March 2011. The maximum funding available for any individual project is £250, 000.

6. Full details of the Research Challenge Fund, including how to apply, are available on the DARD website. Alternatively, applicants may contact the Research Challenge Fund team by emailing RCF@dardni.gov.uk or at the following address:

Tel - 028 90 525036
E-mail: wayne.morrison@dardni.gov.uk

7. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.