New Innovation Voucher – Horizon 2020 (Pilot Call)

Enterprise Ireland launched its pilot Horizon 2020 Innovation voucher scheme on 1 September and after the initial six months, the pilot call will be reviewed. This initiative is open to all small limited registered companies, with less than 50 employees, in Ireland.

To recap, Horizon 2020 is the EU Framework Programme for research and innovation (R&I) in Europe which will provide funding of €79 billion for R&I and boost jobs and growth across the EU and in Ireland during the 2014 to 2020 period. The programme presents numerous opportunities for companies, large and small, to carry out innovative R&D and product development. This innovation voucher allows small enterprises to explore and apply for the Horizon 2020 opportunities with the assistance of a public sector knowledge provider.

Please note that companies which have participated in European Framework Programme (FP7) projects are not eligible to apply for an innovation voucher. Companies can only apply for one of these standard €5,000 vouchers during the pilot call.

Eligible activities:

• Analysis of how similar companies have benefited from participation in collaborative R&D programmes such as Framework Programme 7
• Proposal preparation
• Partner search and due diligence

Applications for the Horizon 2020 Pilot Call must be made via the Enterprise Ireland Online Application System (hyperlinked). For further information about this scheme, contact Jill Leonard at h2020.voucher@enterprise-ireland.com. 

Building a Business on your Ideas

25th November 2014,  08.45-15.00, Nimbus Centre, CIT

Enterprise Europe Network Ireland in co-operation with the Patents Office, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices have launched a series of one-day seminars, aimed at the ‘small business’ community, entrepreneurs and inventors, on the theme of ‘Building a Business on Your Ideas’. 

This seminar will focus on:- How business should be aware of and can exploit the value of Intellectual Property (Patents, Trade Marks, Designs and Copyright) and the support structures that are available for small businesses and start-ups from the State and Europe.

 For more information or to register click here