Ulster University lands £20m EU research funding

Ulster University has secured nearly £20m in EU funding for cross-border research and innovation projects.

The cash injection will allow the university to further its work on personalised medicine, renewable energy and connected health technology.

Of that money, £7.34 million will go to a personalised medicine project, focused on five common disease areas including heart attacks, diabetes and dementia.

The Eastern Corridor Medical Engineering Centre will receive £6.9m to collect cross-border data on cardiovascular and respiratory disease aimed at developing early detection systems and examining the use of wearable technology.A renewable energy initiative to help develop devices for storing energy from renewable sources will also benefit, to the tune of £5.46m.

The money was awarded by the EU's INTERREG VA programme, designed to foster cross-border co-operation and increase innovation and competitiveness in business.

Match-funding for the projects has been provided by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in Ireland and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland.

Economy Minister Simon Hamilton MLA said the award could attract, "further investment to these shores and creating an environment for the creation of additional high value added jobs" and could "offer high growth potential opportunities to our local economy, and as new markets open and opportunities emerge".

Ulster University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paddy Nixon said: “The funding will facilitate some of the most exciting and advanced researchin personalised medicine currently being undertaken globally.

“The wider economic impact of this research funding cannot be underestimated. In addition to the €23 million of funding, the multiplier effectwill generate a further secondary output impact of over €29 million in the UK, with approximately €19 million of this being in Northern Ireland.