InterTradeIreland Innova

InterTradeIreland Innova is an all-island collaborative R&D programme which stimulates, promotes and supports R&D co-operation between companies, North and South.

The Innova pilot programme has been verysuccessful to date having funded eight cross-border projects. These include possible treatments for cancer, severe acute pancreatitis, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and the development of a hygiene management system to help healthcare institutions to reduce the spread of infections such as MRSA and C Difficile.

Innova will commence in early 2009 and will fund up to 17 collaborative projects including two unique, larger scale projects (flagship projects). Eligible companies may receive up to €300,000 each, and flagship companies up to €500,000 each.

Up to 75% funding is available for industrial research projects and up to 60% for experimental development projects. All all-island innovative collaborative R&D projects will be considered. Projects from life and health science, polymers & plastics, ICT and food sectors are particularly welcome. All applications will be considered on merit.

Ideally companies will have identified a partner company, but absence of a partner should not be an obstacle at this Expression of Interest stage as InterTradeIreland may assist in securing a suitable partner for your project.

What can Innova offer you?

• Funding of up to €500,000 per company.


• Acceleration of new product development with a company in the other jurisdiction within a controlled, protected environment.


• Share of otherwise inaccessible knowledge and expertise in developing new products or processes with tremendous commercial potential.


• Access to complementary technical expertise and technologies from innovative partners across the island.


• Assistance in the search for a suitable technology partner and management of subsequent introductory meetings.

Who is eligible?

Companies of any size can apply to Innova, either singly or in partnership. Projects, lasting up to a maximum of 24 months, should be market-led and involve industrial research or experimental development. Funding will be available for projects geared towards product/process development that:

• Demonstrate identifiable benefits to the companies involved and represent a fundamental part of their strategic business plans


• Strengthen existing North/South R&D collaborations or forms new ones


• Are innovative and technology-based with plans for, and the prospect of, commercial success