US - IRELAND RESEARCH INNOVATION AWARDS 2019
Webinar Overview Background & purpose of the awards Assessment process Criteria Application form Accompanying materials Core messages Q&A
Ireland s leading body of experts in the sciences and humanities. We believe that excellence in research needs to be promoted, sustained and communicated. An all-island body, we support scholarship and promote awareness of how science and the humanities enrich our lives and benefit society Membership is by election and considered the highest Academic honour in Ireland.
US-Ireland Research Innovation Awards: Background American Chamber of Commerce, Ireland & Royal Irish Academy Operating since 2015 The awards are presented on an all-island basis in three categories: HEI MNC SME Sponsored by Ulster Bank KPMG The Irish Times
US-Ireland Research Innovation Awards: Purpose to recognise excellence in research innovation, creation and invention by an organisation, as a result of US Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Ireland.
Criteria 1. The quality, novelty, impact and current relevance of the nominated research innovation (Question 3 and 5 (impact) + supporting letters) 2. The benefit of the innovation to both Irish and US interests, with an emphasis on demonstrating how collaboration was leveraged to achieve more than would otherwise have been possible (Question 6 + supporting letters) 3. The exemplary nature of the research innovation, as demonstrated by its potential or actual commercial and/or societal impact (Question 4 + supporting letters) 4. Evidence of appreciation/accolade for the research innovation/its academic excellence (Question 7 and Section C + supporting letters)
Assessment Panel Professor Peter McHugh, Policy & International Relations Secretary, Royal Irish Academy Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Dean of College of Engineering and Informatics, NUI Galway Research Affiliate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Academic and Industry specialists American Chamber of Commerce Nominees Sponsor representatives
Assessment Process Process applications and allocated to Assessment Panel 18 February: Panel meeting Shortlist External International Assessors External International Assessors Reports 16 April: Panel meeting Shortlisted organisations will give a 25 mins presentation (15 mins presentation with 10 mins Q&A to the assessment panel) Select winners
SECTION A: Applicant Details Details of applicant organisation:
SECTION B: Nomination Details 1. Title Please provide a title for your application Think short, simple explanation Think how it would read on a tweet (280 characters)
2. Description for general audience (100 words/90 secs footage) Keep the language simple avoid jargon Used at shortlisting when publicising your work Think about how you would like to see your work described in The Irish Times.
3. Innovation Description (200 words/3 mins footage) Two key pieces of information: 1) What is new/original/fresh about your research innovation? 2) Why is this relevant or what impact has it made? Your description should answer the following questions (where relevant): What problem has been identified by the innovation? What solution is presented by the innovation? How is the innovation relevant to current market needs?
4. Research Innovation Statement (500 words/4 mins footage) Why is this the winning research innovation? Explain to the assessment panel why this research innovation should win this award. In what way does the innovation present a unique approach to a problem? How was this established? How does the research innovation differ from other available solutions? What is exceptional about this research innovation? Why this research innovation should be awarded the 2019 US-Ireland Research Innovation Award?
5. Impact Statement (500 words/4 mins) Describe the commercial and/or societal impact (realised or potential) of the innovation. For example: How does the innovation contribute to improving processes/saving money/resources? What difference does the innovation make in the public domain? What improvements/changes does the innovation bring to your organisation?
6. US-Ireland Connection (200 words/3 mins) HEI and SME category applications: Describe the nature of your relationship with the US corporate sector in Ireland listed in this application. Please provide a brief explanation of the benefits of the relationship to both the Irish and US parties. MNC applications: Please state the nature of the relationship between the Irish operations and your US headquarters in the context of the benefit for each organisation of this research innovation. Further details may be included in the supporting letter from the US headquarters of your company.
7. Key Supporting Evidence (200 words/3 mins) Evidence, evidence, evidence Demonstrate all that you have told us so far See Supporting Documentation in Section C
8. Diversity (100 words/2 mins) Please demonstrate how diversity impacted the development/ impetus/ impact of this innovation.
Section C: Supporting documentation Supporting Letter 1 A letter from an authorised senior representative of the applicant organisation outlining the reasons for supporting the application Opportunity to add information that perhaps doesn t fit elsewhere in the application Demonstrate organisational support for the application and for the work. list accolades detail impact on the organization measure of regard with which this department/work is held within the organization. Note on why this is the winning innovation. Enthusiastic tone
Supporting Letter 2 HEI and SME Category: A letter of support from the applicant organisation's partner company detailing: The nature of the relationship between the applicant and the US corporate company How the innovation and the relationship have benefited both organisations' interests. MNC Category: A letter of support from your US headquarters detailing the benefit for each organisation of this research innovation Further information to illustrate your response to Question 6 Demonstrate the US Corporate link Put the work undertaken in Ireland within greater unilateral/global context
Supplementary Supporting Documentation This is an opportunity to evidence what you have stated throughout your application. Stay within the limitations Less is more
Section D: Declarations Research Ethics Applicant Declaration Data Protection
Keep it simple Use simple, straightforward language to tell the panel: What is the research innovation? How did it come about? What absence/lack/situation is this innovation addressing? How was it produced/realised? Who was involved? How did this work impact/benefit your organisation and your US corporate partner/headquarters? What is the realised or potential impact of this innovation? Why is this the winning innovation?
Parting message Keep it simple Purpose and Criteria This is a competition Seek feedback before submitting Supporting letters are key: use them well.
Good luck! Aisling Roche, Royal Irish Academy Email: awards@ria.ie Tel: 01 6090609 Deadline: Wednesday, 19 December 2018 at 5 p.m.