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  • NEWS
  • Appeal for public help in double murder probe

    A double murder investigation involving more than 50 gardaí got under way in Killorglin, Co Kerry, after autopsies confirmed a Lithuanian woman and her young daughter had died violently.

  • Ronan kicks off portraits initiative

    He's kicked a record number of penalty kicks, drop kicks and conversions over the bar. But Irish rugby legend Ronan O'Gara, 36, hit the side of a bar yesterday as a very special photographic exhibition was unveiled across Cork City.

  • WORLD
  • Brand divorced me by text, says Perry

    Pop star Katy Perry has revealed that Russell Brand told her he was divorcing her in a text message.

  • Ex-hitman: Bulger’s FBI dealings ‘broke my heart’

    A former criminal associate of James "Whitey" Bulger told jurors at the accused mob boss's trial that he agreed to testify against his old friend after learning that his former gang pals had begun co-operating with law enforcement.

  • BUSINESS
  • Aircraft leasing firm buys 10 Boeing jets

    Shannon-based aircraft leasing firm GE Capital Aviation Services have bought 10 new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners for an estimated $3bn (€2.24bn) at list price.

  • 20% of rich see value of assets halved

    Nearly 20% of Ireland's wealthy people have seen the value of their assets halved as a result of their over-reliance on property.

  • SPORT
  • GPA may get involved over Friday night championship dictat

    The GPA could yet act on the behalf of the Carlow and Laois football panels as they have confirmed neither they nor the players were consulted about Friday week's All-Ireland round one qualifier.

  • Kearney keeps eyes on main prize

    Rob Kearney might not have felt like putting his best foot forward today as the Lions continued to prepare for Saturday's all-important first Test against Australia but he is experienced enough to know that after this midweek defeat by the Brumbies, it is essential for the main mission of the tour.

  • LIFESTYLE
  • Bradley bares his soul

    Soul singer Charles Bradley found fame late in life, but is haunted by his past, writes Ed Power

  • Body of evidence: do we fear nudity or nakedness?

    Do it together and it's harmless, do it alone and it's criminal, says Suzanne Harrington









Science fund to focus on jobs potential

Science Foundation Ireland is to target most of its research funding at areas the Government has targeted as priorities for turning good ideas into jobs.

A report to Jobs Minister Richard Bruton in March set out 14 areas which should be the focus of the Government’s €500m annual scientific research budget, and those will be the priorities of SFI’s research funding over the next year in many of its programmes.

In its plans for 2013, being launched today, SFI says it will focus appropriate programmes on the priority areas, as the majority of public funds for research must be directed towards the 14 areas identified in the report.

These include areas such as medical devices, marine renewable energy, manufacturing competitiveness, digital platforms, food for health, therapeutics, and innovation in business and services.

While relevance to enterprise has always been a key objective of SFI-funded research, planned legal changes would see its remit extended to include funding-applied research that supports developing findings into commercial opportunities.

With the new powers likely to focus SFI’s funding on research areas which have the potential to deliver the greatest return to the economy, the 2013 plans are clearly geared towards making a start in that direction.

For example, the 14 areas identified in the report will dominate the awarding of funds through significant programmes such as SFI research centres, linking scientists and engineers in partnerships across academia and industry, SFI investigators’ programme, its industry and short-term travel fellowships, and a programme to recruit iconic scientists and engineers and build Ireland’s reputation as a centre of research excellence.

The draft plan is open for consultation until Sept 28 following an online seminar today, which will also discuss SFI’s proposed strategy through to 2020.

SFI director general Mark Ferguson said the aim was to shape the nature and direction of science funding to the research and business community.

“Over the past 10 years, science in Ireland, led by SFI, has made very significant process, but the challenge now is to combine scientific excellence with economic and social impact,” he said.

“Implementing the plan will enable Ireland to gain international competitive advantage and ensure that it is one of the first countries to recover from the global recession.”

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