Innovation and Technology Transfer Management

InterTradeIreland FUSION Programme

Oonagh is the programme consultant for the InterTradeIreland FUSION programme in the region. How Fusion works – a Small or Medium Company ( >3 <250 employees) receives substantial grant aid to employ a high-calibre graduate who champions a project, usually a technical innovation project for them. Each company is partnered with a university or college (on a cross-border basis) with specialist expertise in the subject area required who then provides one-to-one tailored assistance to solve the company's technology project. In summary, it's a three-way partnership: Company - Academic - Graduate.

The scope of the technology may be wide ranging, covering a number of activities and applications. Potential topics include:
- New Product Development, Process Streamlining, Lean Manufacturing, Waste reduction, Improvement in Design Capabilities and so on.
If you would like to discuss whether your project would be eligible, please contact Oonagh and she will arrange to meet you. After that, the next step is that Oonagh will identify a qualified academic partner for you in Northern Ireland and she will then facilitate the funding application process for you both.

InterTrade Ireland INNOVA is an all-island collaborative R&D programme initiated by InterTradeIreland to stimulate, promote and support R&D co-operation between companies, North and South.

This unique cross-border programme offers an opportunity to accelerate new product, process or service developments through partnering with a company in the other jurisdiction. InterTradeIreland has released over €6m to North/South company partnerships to date and we are now looking to support more collaborative innovation projects.

Under the current competition offers to successful partnerships will be up to £250K (or € equivalent) in total per project. Grant aid rates will comply with the relevant EU R&D Framework and State Aid Regulations however aid intensities will be up to 50%, with varying rates for SME & large companies. Final offers will be determined through the rigorous assessment process including independent technical and commercial/financial assessments.

For more details contact Oonagh who will assist with your application for FUSION or INNOVA.