Smart Specialisation Strategy as a Facilitator for Human Resource Capacity Building Dr. Conor O’Carroll SciPol Chair – ERA Steering Group on Human Resources and Mobility 12th February 2015

2000 European Research Area - free movement of researchers and knowledge…. 2001 ERA Steering Group on Human Resources and Mobility (SGHRM) Fast forward to 2015 - EURAXESS, Fast Track Immigration, European Researchers Charter & Code, Principles of Innovative Doctoral Training, European Framework for Research Careers, Professional Development for Researchers….

2015 ERA Objectives 1 More Effective National Systems 2 Transnational Cooperation and Competition 3 Open Labour Market for Researchers - open, transparent and merit based recruitment, career development. 4 Gender Balance 5 Knowledge Circulation - open access to publications and data

Can the use of EU Structural Funds actually make a difference Can the use of EU Structural Funds actually make a difference? Is there any clear evidence? Case Study - Ireland

HISTORY OF STRUCTURAL FUNDS IN IRELAND Structural Funds a well-established tool of EU regional policy; ESF (1958), EAGGF (1958), ERDF (1975), FIFG (1994), Cohesion Fund (1992) 1988 – major reform of Structural Funds at EU level; large increase in Structural Fund assistance for Ireland 3 Irish National Development Plans 1989-93, 1994-99, 2000-06 Ireland has received over €17 bn in support since 1973; over 75% of support received since 1989 5

The National Development Plans (NDP) OPERATIONAL PROGRAMMES NDP 1989-93 (€11.6 mn) Industry Agriculture and Rural Development Tourism Human Resources Peripherality (Transport) Telecommunications and Postal Services Energy Sanitary and Local Services 1994-99 (€22.2 mn) Industrial Development Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry Transport Human Resources Development Fisheries Economic Infrastructure Environmental Services Local, Urban and Rural 2000-06 (€59.7 mn) Economic and Social Infrastructure Employment and Human Resources Development Productive Sector Southern and Eastern Region Border, Midland and Western Region 6

Structural Funds contribution to National Development Plans 1989-93 1994-99 2000-06 Structural Funds (€mn) 4,254 5,978 3,174 Total NDP Spend (€mn)* 11,600 22,200 59,700 % SF Contribution 37% 27% 5% * includes all EU, public and private forecast expenditure 7

During 3rd and 4th Framework Programmes 1992: Report of Industrial Policy Review Group “Ireland cannot expect to develop top-class research in the development and application of many modern technologies” 1995: Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council Report. “A system of post doctoral fellowships should be introduced aimed at supporting five grants per year.”

Human Capacity Building with Structural Funds 1) Industry Masters, PhD and Postdoctoral training fellowships 2) Basic, Strategic and Applied Research Grants - employing PhD and postdoctoral researchers Education and Training 85% supported by structural funds

The Growth of Ireland’s Research Impact In the early 1980’s the impact of Irish research was on a par with Greece, Poland and Portugal. From 1990 onwards Ireland’s research impact grew, exceeding the world, EU-27 and the OECD averages. Source: Thomson Reuters InCites

Success in Framework Programmes 1986-1990 FP2 €44m 1990-1994 FP3 €88m 1994-1998 FP4 €185m 1998-2002 FP5 €105m* 2002-2006 FP6 €200m * Major investment of national funding > €4bn 2000-2006

National and EU Funding 1997: 25% of competitive research funding in Ireland came from Europe 2007: 8% of research funding in Ireland came from Europe

Impact of Investment in Research – Ireland ESF €3bn national FP5=€105m FP2=€44m FP6=€200m FP4=€185m FP3=€88m Ireland OECD EU-27 World Average Using SF to build up national research system increased our competitiveness in FPs.

Conclusion Smart investment of Structural Funds brought about increased research excellence (basic, strategic and applied) in Ireland Greater industry/academic collaboration Increased employment of researchers in industry Conclusion

Planning S3 investment - mobility not constant throughout a research career….. *European Framework for Research Careers R1-R3

THANK YOU! 3. Universities