STIMULATING AND SUPPORTING NEW BUSINESS IN IRELAND

Research and Development in Erris

By Joan Fahey, March 27, 2009

Dr. David O’Connell from University College Cork addressed the Erris Research and Development Network in Béal an Mhuirthead on Thursday 12th March. Dr. Connell, from the Office of the Vice President for Research Policy and Support at UCC, very kindly gave of his time and expertise to advise local researchers on the various national and international funding mechanisms available. Dr. O’Connell also shared some useful hints and tips for preparing successful proposals. He emphasised the importance of “answering the call” or ensuring that your project closely matches the key criteria of the Call for Proposals.

This was the second meeting of the Erris R&D Network. A Brainstorming Workshop entitled “Research Activity in Erris” was devised and hosted by Mayo Ideas Lab and Comharchumann Forbartha Ionad Deirbhile, Éachléim, and held in December 2008. Directed at those involved in research across the board, from industry to academia, a key objective of the evening was to highlight the broad range of research & development activities happening in the Erris region and to identify common themes for future research activity. Erris R&D Network includes locally-based PHD and Postdoc students as well as representatives from local industry, GMIT, the Marine Institute, Birdwatch Ireland etc. For anyone interested in joining the Erris R&D Network, please contact Joan Fahey at Mayo Ideas Lab Tel: (097) 27945. Mayo Ideas Lab is a collaborative project comprising Údarás na Gaeltachta, Mayo County Council, Mayo County Development Board, WESTBIC, Mayo VEC, FÁS and GMIT.

(l-r) Dr. David O’Connell, Office of the Vice President, University College Cork, and Dr. Oliver O’Cadla, Comhar Cumann Ionad Deirbhle