€50k Community Partnership Grant for groups in Cork’s Lower Harbour launched

Global life sciences company Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched its 2023 €50,000 Community Partnership Grant for charities and community groups in Cork’s Lower Harbour.

The €50,000 grant is open to groups in Cork’s Lower Harbour, including Currabinny, Shanbally, Ringaskiddy and Crosshaven.

The Grant is open to charities and community groups in this area who are involved in making the local community healthier, cleaner, and/or safer.

Now in its fourth year, applications are open until October 30 and recipients will be announced before the end of the year.

Entities excluded from applying include any organisation or charity that favours one religion, race, or political party over another, any research-based organisation or body, and any requests for funding for individuals.

Recipients of the 2022 fund included the Irish Community Air Ambulance, Down Syndrome Centre Cork, and UCC’s WiSTEM Society.

Speaking at Thermo Fisher’s Currabinny campus about the Community Partnership Grant, Operational Excellence Lead, Caroline Barry, said: “We are excited to announce that applications for this year’s Community Partnership Grant are open.

Over the past three years, we have been honoured to support a wide range of individuals and groups who work tirelessly to improve the local community. Their commitment continues to inspire us.

“At Thermo Fisher, we make a positive impact on society, not only by enabling our customers’ success, but also through our philanthropic efforts and by embracing our colleagues’ passion for giving back to the communities where we live and work. 

"For us, this important work begins at home here in the Lower Harbour.” 

Driven by the employee-led Community Action Council, the Community Partnership Grant is part of Thermo Fisher’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme that supports local communities directly through volunteer and philanthropic opportunities.

It was launched in 2020 to mark the first anniversary of the contract pharmaceutical development and manufacturing facility in Currabinny.

Submissions can be made via www.thermofisher.com/csr/community-partnership-grant. The Grant will open for online applications from October 2 to October 30 and a strict judging process will follow.

Successful applicants will be announced in late November.