Government opens sixth call for applications to Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund
The government has opened Call 6 of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) to encourage collaborations by the industry and research sector into the development and commercialisation of ground-breaking technologies.
The launch took place at DCU Alpha in Glasnevin, where Minister Coveney and Minister Calleary were able to see at first-hand the positive impact of DTIF funding for a Call 2 project. The project which operates in a successful consortium of Exergyn Ltd, DCU and Fort Wayne Metals Ireland Ltd is Nextgen Heat – a zero-emission, refrigerant-free heat pump which will enable Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon economy, that was awarded €2.4 million in DTIF funding in December 2019.
In a change from the previous open calls, the type of eligible research is broadened to include both industrial research and/or experimental development.
Each project must have at least one SME and one other enterprise in a consortium of three or more project partners. Collaborations with the Irish research sector are encouraged. All partners must be based in Ireland and be a client of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta or Science Foundation Ireland.
The Fund targets industrial research projects of scale and impact. The minimum funding request must be €1.5 million for projects of up to three years’ duration. SME partners must provide matched funding while large companies must provide 60% project funding.
The call for funding will be administered for the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment by Enterprise Ireland.
The Government has already allocated €288 million to 86 successful projects approved under the previous four DTIF calls, with further funding under DTIF Calls 4 and 5 to be announced in the coming weeks. These projects cover areas such as life sciences, medical devices, ICT, artificial intelligence, manufacturing and environmental sustainability.
The successful projects will be geared towards commercialisation over a three-to-seven year timeframe, aligned with one of six research priority areas: ICT; Health & Wellbeing; Food; Energy, Climate Action & Sustainability; Manufacturing & Materials; and Business Services & Processes.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris said: “The Disruptive Technologies Fund is an essential tool in ensuring we have enterprise driven research. Our research strategy – Impact 2030 – clearly sets out the need for collaboration between enterprises and the research sector.
“The DTIF investments will utilise the Irish research community to develop a cohesive research and innovation ecosystem that will boost Ireland’s competitiveness and societal needs. Collaboration between our research base, indigenous SMEs and our multinational corporations in developing new and novel technologies is key to continuing to strengthen the research and innovation system in Ireland.”
The closing date for applications is 31 May 2023.
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