Overview 2007-2009
Since the launch of Sea Change, an estimated €119m has been committed (nationally and internationally) in marine-related research:
- 41% of which comes from Marine Institutemanaged NDP funds;
- 39% from other national funding bodies; and
- 20% from international funding.
Since 2007, the Marine Institute, in its co-ordinating role, has been actively developing complementary relationships with other funding bodies, the third-level sector and industry to develop novel partnerships and stimulate independent research and innovation initiatives to meet the objectives set out in Sea Change. This has facilitated a significant scale-up in the level of funded research supported by national and international programmes.
Full details of this investment and other Sea Change related activities for 2007 and 2008 are available in the 2007 and 2008 Annual Progress Reports . The 2009 Progress Report will be published shortly
Update 2009
Building upon the 2007 and 2008 investment commitments, new investment of ~€2.15m was committed by Marine Institute managed research funds in 2009, supporting research and training onboard the national research vessels. This brings the total committed under the NDP Marine Research Sub-Programme to €49.7m.
During 2009, the Sea Change Team were actively engaged in supporting 3 major emerging national R&D programmes in Marine Biotechnology, Advanced Marine Technology and Renewable Ocean Energy. The year involved intense liaison with the key development agencies, e.g. IDA, Enterprise Ireland and SEI, as well building new and strengthening existing partnerships with SMEs, MNCs and researchers, in order to move these programmes from aspirational to operational. To further progress these programmes, two national co-ordinators were appointed in DCU and NUIG in Advanced Marine Biotechnology and Marine Biotechnology respectively. Further information on activities in 2009 will be provided in the Sea Change Annual Progress Report for 2009 (due to be published in 2010).
Irish marine researchers continue to be successful in attracting EU research funding, At the end of 2009, Irish marine researchers were participating in 43 FP7 (grant-aid €17.5 million) and 15 INTERREG-IV Projects (grant-aid €4 million). Directories of these successful projects (FP7 and INTERREG) were published by the Institute in 2009.
For further information on Sea Change please contact members of the Sea Change Management Unit.