Government announces biomedical research partnership

Life

Minister for Health & Children Mary Harney and Minister for Labour Affairs & Public Service Transformation, Dara Calleary have welcomed the announcement today of a partnership agreement between Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Health Research Board (HRB), with the Wellcome Trust, a global charitable foundation based in the UK.

The new SFI-HRB-Wellcome Trust Biomedical Research Partnership will mean that the prestigious Wellcome Trust will jointly fund biomedical researchers in Ireland with Science Foundation Ireland and the Health Research Board.

Harney described the forging of the new arrangement as “a significant occasion for health research in Ireland”. She added: “Vibrant health research is critical to how we generate new ways to care for patients, advance the delivery of our health services, and contribute to our economic development. This agreement will add to the international standing of Ireland in health research and increase our attractiveness as a location for research and development in biomedical and lifesciences.”

Speaking at the announcement of the new partnership, Sir Mark Walport, director of the Wellcome Trust, said: “We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Science Foundation Ireland and the Health Research Board. By working together, our joint funding will support the best scientists and clinical researchers in Ireland, ensuring that biomedicine in the country remains globally competitive.”

Commenting on the importance of the agreement, Minister for Labour Affairs & Public Service Transformation, Dara Calleary T.D., said: “For Ireland’s smart economy to properly manifest itself in our day-to-day lives, excellence in science, health and engineering research and development must be identified and given every opportunity to progress and prosper. The signing of this collaborative funding deal is a major endorsement of Ireland’s research potential, and will greatly assist its connectivity with the international research community and, particularly, its engagement with the commercial sector, both here and abroad.”

The announcement of the agreement was also attended by Prof Pat Fottrell, chairperson, Science Foundation Ireland; Dr Stephen Simpson, director of Life Sciences at Science Foundation; and Mr Enda Connolly, CEO of the Health Research Board.

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