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New projects sought for €500m Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, T.D., the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Patrick O’Donoghue, T.D., and Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary, T.D., today launched Call 7 of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF). The aim of the Fund is to encourage collaborations by industry and research sector into the development and commercialisation of ground-breaking technologies.

The launch took place in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath at the offices of Ostoform Ltd, the lead partner in a DTIF Call 3 project. Ostoform are working with two other project partners – Ross Polymer Ltd and Technological University Shannon – to develop an innovative ostomy pouch, used in the treatment of digestive and urinary conditions, which directs corrosive output away from the skin and improves patient wellbeing and quality of life.

Launching Call 7 Minister Burke said: “I am delighted to announce the seventh Call of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund. The Fund is an important Government initiative which is helping to future-proof Ireland at a time of geo-political turbulence, economic uncertainty and supply chain disruption.

“The Fund is seeking to encourage collaborative projects utilising cutting-edge technologies that will contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s economic growth. We want projects that will make a real difference to people’s lives, especially in helping us to improve our level of digitalisation and achieve our climate action targets.

“The Irish enterprise and research sectors have regularly demonstrated their resilience and ability to adapt to challenges. We want to foster these capabilities by de-risking some of the costs associated with the development of truly disruptive, innovative projects."

Patrick O’Donovan, TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science said: "In announcing the seventh Call for the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, we aim to maximise the impact of our investment in Irish research institutions," explained Minister for Innovation, Patrick O Donovan. 

"The Fund can play a major role in delivering on Government research and enterprise objectives, as outlined in policy documents such as the recent Quantum Technologies Strategy and the White Paper on Enterprise. 

"We're focusing on areas like quantum technologies, where breakthroughs can truly make a difference. By fostering collaboration between companies and research facilities, our goal is to not only drive innovation but also create more job opportunities for graduates in the future."

Dara Calleary, TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation also welcomed the DTIF funding: “The Government is committed to supporting companies in improving their digital capacity through targeted investment, with a view to positioning Ireland as a leading global digital hub.

“DTIF has already demonstrated its role as a catalyst in bringing about digital transformation by supporting projects that will develop unique applications of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. It is notable that 46 projects involving artificial intelligence were awarded €162.5m across the six DTIF Calls to date. This significant investment in disruptive technologies is giving enterprises the support needed to incorporate digitalisation into their business processes and driving Ireland’s adoption of digital technologies.”

Leo Clancy, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, who administer the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, said: ‘’Enterprise Ireland is pleased to continue to support the reopening of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund on an open rolling basis, replacing the previous closed call approach. This will enhance the user-friendliness of a fund that has already demonstrated its value in deepening innovation capability across the enterprise sector and embedding a culture of continuous innovation among Irish SMEs through collaboration with Ireland’s excellent research base.

“We are beginning to see ground-breaking technologies and business advancement from earlier participants of the DTIF programme, such as the cutting-edge solution that Ostoform, Ross Polymer Ltd and Technological University Shannon are developing to improve the well-being and quality of life of ostomy patients.”