Business First September 2017 Business First September 2017 | Page 50

INTERTRADEIRELAND HORIZON 2020

Research - Innovate - Grow . Time to consider Horizon 2020 with InterTradeIrelanld

by Carrie Gribben , Horizon 2020 Manager at InterTradeIreland
f you are a business seeking funding for relation to building cross­border your company ’ s research or innovation partnerships for Horizon 2020 .

Iactivities and are unsure what to do next , “ There are two types of travel voucher start with our Horizon 2020 Support Service , available ; the first is aimed at helping says Carrie Gribben , Horizon 2020 Manager newcomers connect with possible partners in at InterTradeIreland . the opposite jurisdiction . Identifying

Horizon 2020 is the European partners can often be the first major hurdle
Commission ’ s largest ever Research & for newcomers but InterTradeIreland works Innovation programme with a budget of very closely with the existing Horizon 2020 almost € 80bn from 2014­2020 .
Support Networks in Northern Ireland and
Unlike its predecessor FP7 , Horizon 2020 Ireland to make this process much easier . has new instruments specifically aimed at ITI can quickly facilitate introductions to funding the most innovative of Europe ’ s potential partners from academia , industry SMEs . and other types of organisations . The second Furthermore , SMEs can individually lead voucher supports the next stage in the projects or join larger pan­European process when cross­border partnerships will consortia involving multiple types of travel to Brussels or elsewhere in the EU to partners , and there are funding opportunities conduct a range of activities that can help across many areas like ICT , Energy , Agri­ strengthen their proposal such as attending Food , Marine , Health , Environment , Security information or brokerage events , engaging and Advanced Manufacturing and more . with the European Commission or holding
To date enterprises across Northern Ireland pre­submission consortium meetings . and Ireland have been extremely successful in “ The application process for both schemes Horizon 2020 but the EU funding landscape is very simple so I would really encourage can be a difficult and daunting one to
SMEs to consider applying for travel support . navigate , particularly if you are a newcomer . “ The new 2018­2020 Horizon 2020 Work Thankfully that ’ s where InterTradeIreland Programmes will be released later this year can help ! sofurther events are being planned both here
Carrie explains : “ To try to help businesses and across the EU ­ perfect timing for SMEs prepare for Horizon 2020 , InterTradeIreland wanting to learn more about all of the offers a suite of supports for SMEs , including upcoming opportunities .” funding of up to £ 500 towards travel costs in
Who is eligible to receive the vouchers ?
Companies and Academics from Northern Ireland and Ireland with an interest in applying to Horizon 2020 on a cross­border partnership .
How can I access this support ?
Find out more about the advice available on the website www . intertradeireland . com / horizon2020
If you are interested in availing of this service you can then contact Carrie directly on 028 3083 4172 or by email carrie . gribben @ intertradeireland . com
About InterTradeIreland
InterTradeIreland helps small businesses explore new cross­border markets , develop new products , processes and services and become investor ready .
We provide practical cross­border business funding , business intelligence and meaningful contacts to SMEs across the island , North and South , looking to grow their businesses .
For more information on Brexit and the supports provided by InterTradeIreland , visit www . intertradeireland . com and Discover What ’ s Possible .
48 www . businessfirstonline . co . uk