MTU secures €7.6m funding for collaboration projects

MUNSTER Technological University (MTU) has announced that it has secured €7.6m in funding to advance its research activities through the Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Programme until 2029.

This funding — co-financed by the Government and the EU through the European Regional Development Fund’s Southern, Eastern, and Midland Regional Programme — underscores the MTU’s commitment to collaboration between industry and higher education.

Since the inception of the Technology Gateway Programme in 2013, more than 4,900 Irish companies have utilised the network, engaging in more than 7,700 innovation projects, resulting in €60m invested by companies in research projects with technological universities and institutes of technology.

The majority of these companies are SMEs, leveraging cutting-edge facilities and expertise offered by Technology Gateways.

Welcoming the funding boost, the president of Munster Technological University, Prof Maggie Cusack, said: “This investment will extend MTU’s successful collaborations, driving innovation across the South West, and connecting businesses with our esteemed research network. We will continue to push the boundaries of innovation and economic growth.”

The CEO of Enterprise Ireland, Leo Clancy, highlighted the Technology Gateway Programme’s track record of enabling companies nationwide to develop new products, processes, and services, leveraging the expertise and resources available at academic institutions.

The investment of €7.6m is projected to generate 1,660 industry projects, and will benefit several research centres at MTU.

The funding will support the southern region’s sectoral areas of strength, and is aligned with the National Smart Specialisation Strategy’s thematic areas: Advanced manufacturing, automotive/aerospace, food/agritech, design, ICT, marine/maritime, pharma/med-tech, renewable energy, cybersecurity, and smart cities and communities.