Noel Dempsey, T.D Irish Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources today officially launched the Beaufort Marine Research Awards at Beaufort College in Navan.
These Awards are based on the main principles of the Charles Parsons Energy Research Awards and the Griffith Geoscience Awards, which were recently inaugurated by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Dempsey said "The Beaufort Research Awards are a proactive way to significantly develop overall research capacity in the marine sector, particularly in priority areas of marine research."
The Government is providing €20 million for this initiative over the next seven years.
"The awards are open to any marine research group on the island of Ireland, who are based in Universities, Institutes of Technology or industry," explained Minister Dempsey. "It is an all-island awards scheme and I regard this programme as an important dimension for Government. With the re-establishment of institutions in Northern Ireland due in May, we want to promote this type of North-South collaboration, where we share skills and experience."
The Beaufort awards will target research leadership of international standing by making funding available for Principal Investigators and a number of researchers with seven year contracts.
"These awards are a very important element of Sea Change - A Marine Knowledge Research and Innovation Strategy for Ireland 2007-2013, which I launched recently," continued Dempsey. "We have invested €365 million to create new marine-related commercial opportunities between now and 2013, and it is tangible evidence of the Government's genuine commitment to the future and sustainable development of Ireland's Ocean Economy."
"I want the Irish marine industry to be the pride of Europe. I want every Member State involved in marine emulating our success and I have no doubt that these awards will focus world attention on Irish marine research," he concluded.
