Published on: Friday, 16 July 2010

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The Government has announced the latest phase of Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) which invests in physical infrastructure and research projects in higher education institutions. This is a €360 million investment plan for research and innovation which will create jobs and new enterprises and drive Ireland's economic recovery. Under Cycle 5 of the programme, being announced today (Friday, July 16th) the Government will invest €297 million, with €63 million coming from private, non-Exchequer, sources.

Funding of approx €4.5 million has been provided to four projects including two CIT-led Projects. The Centre for Research in Advanced Therapeutic Engineering (CREATE) will facilitate and promote multidisciplinary research, teaching and learning and knowledge transfer in the areas of bio-molecule discovery, biomedical engineering and advanced optical imaging, through the provision of a new facility, focussing on internationally competitive research in niche areas. UCC & Teagasc are also partners in this project.

The Structured PhD Education for Life Sciences (ED4LIFE) provides a means to co-ordinate and strengthen existing PhD education in the area of life sciences and will sustain and develop further industrial interaction and collaboration which will be especially relevant for the biomedical device and bio-pharmaceutical industries. UCC & Teagasc are also partners in this project

CIT is also partner in a number of UCC-led projects including; Environmental Research Institute at the Maritime and Energy Cluster (ERI@MErC) at the NMCI in Ringaskiddy; Food and Health (Phase 2); The Tyndall FlexiFab for Applied Convergent Nanotechnologies (TYFANNI); The National Graduate Education Programme in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INSPIRE); Translating Biosciences into Health (BSI West)

CIT’s Vice President for Development, Michael Delaney, reacting to today’s announcement said, “we are particularly pleased as this funding enables us to strengthen areas where we have particular expertise and further enhances our partnership projects.

The Minister for Enterprise Trade and Innovation Batt O'Keeffe said: “I am delighted to announce investments in local projects in Cork's higher education institutions - UCC, CIT and the Tyndall National Institute - which will deliver new levels of research innovation, products and, ultimately, jobs in our economy.

PRTLI Cycle 5 will help to make Ireland Europe's innovation hub. It will transform Ireland's research landscape and lay the foundations for a prosperity based on sustainable high-quality jobs.

By investing in research, buildings and people, we can continue to make our higher education institutions among the best in the world and drive a new culture of innovation that will create smart jobs for smart people.”