New Connections - Department of Taoiseach

2001, mean that SFI is currently supporting over eighty research projects totalling over€145 million over the next five years.SFI is currently operating as a sub-board of Forfás. The Industrial Development(Science Foundation Ireland) Bill was published in December 2002 to establish SFI as anagency of Forfás.(5.3) EU Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006)ETE• Proposals will be progressed to ensure optimal promotion of and participation inthe €16.5bn to ensure that Ireland secures the maximum benefits from FP6 overthe next four yearsUpdateThe European launch of the Sixth Framework Programme for research, technologicaldevelopment and demonstration activities (2002-2006), took place in Brussels inNovember 2002. This was followed by the publication of the first Calls for Proposals inDecember 2002, which included three calls relating to Information Society Technologies(see www.cordis.lu/fp6 for details).Proposals will be progressed to ensure optimal promotion of and participation in the€16.5bn Sixth Framework Programme with a particular focus on supportingInformation Society development. The thematic area “Information SocietyTechnologies” receives a budget of over €3.6 billion in the Sixth FrameworkProgramme, and all Departments and Agencies will fully explore the potential offunding mechanisms in progressing the objectives and commitments set out in theProgramme.A network of National Delegates and National Contact Points was put in place to givepractical information and assistance to potential participants and ensure that Irelandsecures the maximum benefits from the Framework Programme, and was launched bythe Tánaiste in December 2002.A new dedicated unit to provide a National Information & Support Service to potentialparticipants has now been established within Enterprise Ireland - http://www.fp6-ireland.com/ This central support service will disseminate information and will work inclose cooperation with all the National Delegates for the various specific areas of FP6.(5.4) Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and TechnologyES• Establish schemes of support for researchers in science, engineering and technologyincluding new and improved grant schemes for postgraduate scholars and postdoctoralfellows• Provide funding for research projects45