1. Applying for funding the EI Innovation Partnership Scheme Graduate School Lunchtime Seminar Series College of Business and Law

2. What is it about? Innovation Partnership is a type of engagement between a 3 rd level institution research lab and an industry partner The two will collaborate on a novel project and get substantial part-funding from EI Attraction is that it is on-going – can submit several times a year Real salaries but no PG funding at all Success rate is well above average of this type of funding Totally scalable project / application

3. What EI says: www.enterprise-ireland.com/ipp‎ http://www.enterprise- ireland.com/EI_Corporate/en/Research- Innovation/Companies/IPP-Brochure.pdf http://www.enterprise- ireland.com/EI_Corporate/en/Research- Innovation/Companies/IPP-Brochure.pdf http://www.enterprise- ireland.com/EI_Corporate/en/Research- Innovation/Companies/IPP-FAQs.pdf http://www.enterprise- ireland.com/EI_Corporate/en/Research- Innovation/Companies/IPP-FAQs.pdf A programme dedicated to Irish firms – clients of EI related agencies “A manufacturing or internationally traded services company with an operating base in the ROI that wishes to collaborate with one or more research institutes, also based in ROI” Need a DA

4. Funding Practicalities 3 rd level institution is applicant EI fund up to 80% and industry partner funds the rest Company Size Type of Research Small Company Medium Company Large Company Industrial Collaborative Research20% cash 20% cash plus 5% cash/in-kind 20% cash plus 15% cash/in-kind Experimental Collaborative Development 20% cash plus 20% cash/in-kind 20% cash plus 30% cash/in-kind 20% cash plus 40% cash/in-kind

5. Project types & duration Industrial Research is planned research and investigation aimed at discovering brand new knowledge. This new knowledge may be useful in developing new products, processes or services, or in bringing about a significant improvement to existing products, processes or services. Experimental Development is systematic work, drawing on existing knowledge gained from research and/or practical experience directed towards producing plans & arrangements or designs for new, altered or improved products. This work leads to a product which could be commercialised without significant additional development. Typical project is 12 months (up to 24 months in theory) from 85K to 650K euro

6. Submission & Decision Dates Submit the full application one month and get the decision the following month Few schemes provide feedback in that time frame There are hidden glitches however

7. A Realistic Schedule Generate a good lead for an industrial partner Do some preliminary research (self-funded) Submit outline proposal (to get pre-approval and a project code) Do a lot more research (self-funded*) Submit full application to IRCC Application reviewed and decision made Reject / rework / award * Alternative apply for feasibility funding (9K – 100% funded) 3 to 6 months 3 to 12 months

8. Key elements of application Topic – R&D dimension (Frascati manual) Technical Risk Audience Duration Commercial Potential (market / impact) Job Creation / defending employment Industry involvement IP agreement! A great DA Budget (pay / material cost / travel / equipment / other) – opportunity

9. In UCC VP for research office for signature Research Finance for the budget TTO for the IP agreement App. A&C Two accounts are created: EI money / Industry contribution Money paid in instalments over period

10. Execution Need to do the work! – Hire wisely – PIs don’t do the work! [time cant be charged to the project] Secure Partner involvement – maintain interest Watch out for the in-kind component Keep an eye out for publications / public engagement opportunities (cf: IP agreement) Interim reports + final financial report and final technical report (inc. Industry partner appraisal)

11. Fresh Experiences Based on 6 IP contracts within a 6 year period Fast money, but not free money Success rate high but process can be tortuous Need a solid and trustworthy industrial partner to begin with The threat of VAT liability must be considered Fantastic when it works out – not so fantastic when it does not – Rift with industry partner / Audit / Bad publicity Not for every type of project – know your funding schemes

12. Conclusions Attractive and well suited to the Business area – perhaps also to Law area Well suited to size / budget we need But substantial efforts in going to get funding Reputational impact can be a bonus (compare to SFI centres) Have you ever had a Post-Doc or an RA? FIT between project and scheme drives the decision – Partner / R&D / Impact / Timeframe / alternatives

13. Contacts in EI Proposal Forms to: Ms Jackie Browne Innovation Partnerships Contracts Division Enterprise Ireland East Point Business Park, Dublin 3 Tel: 01 727 2570 Fax: 01 727 2064 jackie.browne@enterprise-ireland.com General Enquiries to: Declan McGee Tel 01 727 2668 declan.mcgee@enterprise-ireland.com Cormac Cantwell Tel: 01 727 2517 cormac.cantwell@enterprise-ireland.com