Download Planning for EPA Research (2014-2020) Dr. Brian Donlon, EPA Research Manager

Planning for EPA Research (2014-2020)
Dr. Brian Donlon,
EPA Research Manager
EPA Research– 2014-2020
Key Societal Challenges (Climate Change, Water, Sustainable
Environment)
Legislation – WFD, AFD, ELD…
EPA Strategy (2013-15)
Our Sustainable Future (DECLG)
National Climate Change Adaptation Framework
National Research Prioritisation Plan
Food Harvest 2020
EU 7th Environmental Action Plan
Horizon 2020 (EU Research Plan)
And your input…!
EPA Research (2014-2020)
Overall Objectives largely similar..
To contribute to the protection and improvement of our natural
environment and our health, by addressing key environmental
issues through targeted research leading to the generation of
knowledge excellence.
But in a changing landscape…
Tighter Resources (funding, staff…)
More emphasis on collaboration
More focus on outputs
Draft Priority Areas
MAINTAIN 3 PILLAR APPROACH
Support water protection & mgt obligations
Informing Ireland’s transition to a low carbon climate resilient
environment, society and economy
Reducing waste generation, waste as a resource – high-quality
recycling
Understanding Env-health interactions (pollution, benefits)
Increase understanding of biodiversity / soil & role in sustaining
economy & well being
Understanding Environmental impacts of UGEE
Improve the knowledge base on raw materials
Summary of projects awarded 2007- 2012
.
Project Type
Direct Scholarships (PhD + MSc)
Large Research Projects (>100k)
Desk Studies and other projects (10k100k)
Cleaner Production
Small Scale Awards, travel grants etc.
(<10k)
Infrastructure Awards
Total
[1]An
additional 45 scholarships awarded under the large research project category
Number of
Projects
Awarded
Commitment (€)
107
162
7,756,010
53,364,156
38
40
2,570,535
2,730,145
130
13
490
382,315
1,560,357
68,363,518
Irish Researchers (Environment/Ecology)
1000
900
800
No. of Papers
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Citing Years
Innovation on STRIVE Activities
1.
Greater focus on dissemination (regular updates, dedicated
budget on projects)
2. Greater focus on co-funding (National/ Intl)
3. Support networking wrt Forfas initiative and EU funding
leverage
4. Establish Science Advisory Board
5. Work with others wrt behavioural changes --- Resource
efficient economy
6. Assign 10-15% for blue skies research on annual basis
7. Inclusion of raw materials research
8. Piloting of citizen-centric innovations
9. Grant Management Admin enhancements (Horizon 2020)
10. Simplified reporting & financial
Flipchart Questions?
1. What could we do better? What do we
drop?
1.
Steering committees? Scholarships (PhD, MSc)?
Infrastructure awards?
2. Funding Mix
1.
2.
3.
40 projects per year or 4 large multi-annual
Blue skies research (x% of new projects?)
Direct Support for research ideas
3. How to capture research priorities?
1.
2.
Role for Science Advisory Board
VP for Research, other stakeholders?
Flipchart Questions?
4. How best to engage with Forfas
14 Priority Areas??
•
Necessary? Support for a network?
5. Citizen Science Initiatives
• What areas to cover? Funding mechanism?
Next Steps
Soils & Land Use Research Workshop
Feedback by 1st October
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B3RNHZX
Other Research Workshops
Climate Change (19th Sept)
Sustainable Environment (26th Sept)
http://www.epa.ie/newsandevents/events/
Research Programme 2014-2020
Consultation in November 2013
Call in Q1 2014