A Trilateral Partnership for Supporting Research and Relationships
The US-Ireland Research and Development (R&D) Partnership, launched in July 2006, is a unique initiative involving funding agencies across three jurisdictions: United States of America (USA), Republic of Ireland (RoI) & Northern Ireland (NI).
The purpose of the partnership is “to increase the level of collaborative R&D amongst researchers and industry professionals across the three jurisdictions” with the governments in USA, RoI & NI recognizing the strong link between high quality research environments and economic development.
The R&D partnership is guided by a steering group, which consists of high-level representatives from the three jurisdictions, with a co-chair from each[1]. It focuses on facilitating the funding of high quality collaborative research projects across the three jurisdictions. The steering committee agreed the research priorities areas as sensor technology, nanotechnology, telecommunications, energy and sustainability, and health research, all areas where there is already established research strength in each jurisdiction.
To date (December 2016) 35 projects have been successful with a combined investment value of more than £35m. Download factsheet
Today this is a vibrant partnership among the United States, Northern Ireland, and Ireland and an excellent example of science and diplomacy working together in a unique trilateral partnership.
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[1] In Northern Ireland, the co-chair and steering group members are appointed by the Northern Ireland government on an agreed nomination by the then minister for employment and learning, minister for enterprise, trade and investment, and minister for health. The Ireland co-chair and steering group members are appointed by the Irish government through the then minister for enterprise, trade and employment. In the United States, the engagement of the Department of State underscores the significance of this partnership to foreign policy as well as the potential important scientific advances that the collaboration produces.