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 in period 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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Greater focus on dissemination (regular updates, dedicated
budget on projects)
Greater focus on co-funding (National/ Intl)
Support networking wrt Forfas initiative and EU funding
leverage
Establish Science Advisory Board
Work with others wrt behavioural changes --- Resource
efficient economy
Inclusion of raw materials research
Piloting of citizen-centric innovations
Grant Management Admin enhancements (Horizon 2020)
Simplified reporting & financial
Flipchart Questions?
1. Funding Mix
o 40 projects per year or 4 large multi-annual
o Blue skies research (x% of new projects?)
o Direct Support for research ideas
2. How to capture research priorities?
o Role for Science Advisory Board
o VP for Research, other stakeholders?
3. Citizen Science Initiatives
o What areas to cover? Funding mechanism?
Flipchart Questions?
4. How best to engage with Forfas 14
Priority Areas??
o
Necessary? Support for a network?
5. What could we do better? What do we
drop?
o
Steering committees? Scholarships (PhD, MSc)?
Infrastructure awards?
6. Irish researchers performing well
o
Focus on niche areas? Which ones? Leverage
possibilities?
Next Steps
Water Research Workshop
Feedback https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RHKRSXP
Other workshops planned for Q3/4
Draft Research Strategy
Circulated in July
Release of Research Publication associated with the
launch
Research Programme 2014-2020
Call in Q1 2014