A total of €64,999,270 of PEACEPLUS funding has been awarded to collaborative innovation projects that will boost productivity and competitiveness in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland and HIRANI are excited to be working alongside partners in two of the projects valued at €20 million, over the next 4 years.
HIRANI CEO, Professor Joann Rhodes said: “We are delighted to be involved with these cross-border partnerships providing sector specific commercial insights to help deliver world-class solutions to meet the needs of patients and health systems, whilst also fostering economic growth. Both projects dovetail into our mission to increase the health and wealth of everyone in NI and we are looking forward to getting started with our partners.”
The funding is delivered through the Innovation Challenge Fund, part of Theme 2: ‘Delivering Socio-Economic Regeneration and Transformation’ of the PEACEPLUS Programme.
HF-TIC (€9,130,024.92) – Led by Ulster University along with 20 partners in Northern Ireland (including HIRANI), Ireland and Scotland, the Health Frontiers – Technology Innovation Centre (HF-TIC) will establish a world-class health focused consortium focusing on next generation medical device technologies, new digital and AI technologies to support health clinic systems, and digital transformation in healthcare practice and culture.
ONEHEALTH (€9,852,752.84) – ONEHEALTH – Artificial Intelligence for Human, Animal and Environmental Health – will create a cross-border AI driven Life and Health Sciences ecosystem that drives innovation in SMEs, fostering economic growth while addressing pressing health and agrifood challenges. The project will be led by Catalyst, in partnership with ATU, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland (HIRANI), TNI Cork and the University of Galway.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA said: “I welcome this investment in commercially driven research, development and innovation across key growth sectors. These projects will strengthen collaboration among SMEs and research organisations across the island, driving skills development and expanding expertise in emerging fields such as photonics, digital manufacturing, agri-feeding solutions, medical technologies and AI. This investment will support SMEs in developing innovative new products and processes, fostering lasting economic, environmental and social benefits.”
In total, the Innovation Challenge Fund will support 96 enterprises, resulting in 82 SMEs introducing product or process innovation. 36 research organisations will participate in the joint projects, comprising stakeholders who wish to collaborate on high level innovation projects which deliver local and national benefits.
