Today marked the 1,000th Innovation Voucher project that was completed. 2,228 Innovation Vouchers have been issued since the initiative was launched in March 2007.

The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Conor Lenihan TD, marked the 1,000th innovation voucher milestone at an event in the Enterprise Ireland.

"The scheme has helped small firms to explore how they can play their part in building the knowledge economy.

"The vouchers have brought firms and researchers together in finding innovative ways to overcome challenges and give products a more competitive and commercial edge for the marketplace.

"The knowledge providers offer valuable advice and expertise to small Irish firms that want to scale their output and compete for business by adopting a more innovative approach," Lenihan said.

The innovation voucher enables small firms to access skills, knowledge and specialist facilities in Government-funded research institutions.

Small Irish firms are now working with research teams in more than 41 research institutions - or so-called knowledge providers - across the island.

The top 5 knowledge providers were

• WIT 144
• Carlow IT 70
• UCC 68
• Athlone 65
• Cork IT 58

More facts in the attached PDF.

The next call for applications opens on 1 October and closes on the 31st Of Oct.