The government has today invited expressions of interest for the €500m Disruptive Technologies Innovation (DTI) Fund. The establishment of the €500m Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) aims to drive collaboration between Ireland's research base and industry in support of the development and adoption of technologies which will in turn help build new markets and strengthen the competitiveness of the enterprise sector.

To ensure the objectives of the DTIF are delivered, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation will shortly establish and chair an Advisory Board comprised of nominated members of Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and others.
 
Ideas are being sought in areas like Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Advanced Manufacturing and Smart and Sustainable Food Production. In particular, proposals are being sought that involve collaboration between industry, research bodies and the public sector.
 
Speaking this week, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys said, "This Fund is not about business as usual. We’re living in the technological revolution, and we’re looking for proposals for truly game-changing technologies. The world around us is changing and we can’t afford to stand still. The Fund is about ensuring that Ireland can stay ahead of the curve. We’re looking for ideas in areas like Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Advanced Manufacturing and Smart and Sustainable Food Production."

She added, "We’re lucky in Ireland to have companies, both multinational and indigenous, that are doing very exciting things in technology. We also have top-class researchers so we want to see proposals that involve collaboration between industry, research bodies and the public sector."

Source: www.businessworld.ie