NDP Marine RTDI Measure (2000-2006)
The Marine Measure was one of six measures on Research, Technology, Development and Innovation (RTDI) supported under the Productive Sector Operational Programme of the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Information on projects funded under this Measure are detailed in Oceans of Opportunity (PDF, 689.15 KB)
The Marine Institute, on behalf of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and reporting to a National Monitoring Group established by the Department of Finance and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation was the implementing Body for the Marine RTDI Measure.
The guiding objectives of the measure were to:
- Enhance and consolidate the performance of the marine sector in Ireland through support for R&D and technology transfer activities
- Provide the RTDI capacity and infrastructure to enable Ireland to fully utilise its marine resource potential in asustainable manner.
3 Sub-Measures were created to structure investment during the lifetime of the plan;
Under Sub-Measure 1 the priority was to improve research vessel capacity to cover outer Continental Shelf activities. The Marine Institute took delivery of the 65 metre multi-purpose RV Celtic Explorer in December 2002; the vessel has since been involved in a broad range of research activity in Irish waters.
This funding strand of the programme provided grant-aid for the upgrade of key national marine laboratories and facilities to provide the necessary capacity and infrastructure to support priority research activities.
The Marine RTDI Fund supported project based RTDI in targeted areas. Sub-Measure 3 was divided into two programmes, Applied Industry and Strategic Projects. There were also a number of supporting initiatives such as Desk Studies, Fellowships (Post-Doctorals and Post Graduate) and Networking/Technology Transfer.