Welcome to the Research & Development and Innovation Section of the Economic Development Policy Website
Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS)
"think|create|innovate: The Regional Innovation Strategy for Northern Ireland" (RIS) was published in June 2003 and reviewed in July 2006 to provide a coordinated and consensual framework for the creation of a globally competitive, innovation-driven regional economy in Northern Ireland. Think/Create/Innovate put in place four key priorities and eight related action areas to assist the development and maintenance of a world-class innovation system.
Think/Create/Innovate, the Regional Innovation Strategy (including first Action Plan)
Regional Innovation Strategic Action Plan 2004-2006
Regional Innovation Strategic Action Plan 2008 - 2011
The third action plan arising from the RIS for the period 2008-2011 was published in April 2008. This Action Plan contains four key imperatives and 102 actions within which the 22 stakeholders, from industry, academia and government, report.
Regional Innovation Strategic Action Plan 2008 - 2011
MATRIX
MATRIX, the Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel, was born out of the Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS) for Northern Ireland. It was tasked in February 2007 with bringing forward-focused advice on the future policies necessary for NI to ensure economic growth and wealth creation through greater commercial exploitation of its science and technology capabilities. The first MATRIX report, and its overarching Horizon Panel reports, were launched by the DETI Minister on 8th October 2008. A link to the MATRIX website, which includes the report and newsletters, is provided below.
The first report of MATRIX, launched in late 2008, was the result of the largest collaborative exercise involving high-technology industry leaders and academic experts ever assembled in Northern Ireland. It put forward a challenging and ambitious plan of action to position Northern Ireland among the world’s most successful high-technology economies over timelines of 2, 5 and 10 years.
The formal Response paper and action plan - which has been agreed by Ministers across the Northern Ireland Executive – represents a coordinated and joined up action plan which will ensure that the Government strand of the MATRIX work will be taken forward in the most effective way.
A copy of the Response paper can be accessed using the link below:
A summary of the Response paper can be accessed using the link below:
Minutes of the renewed MATRIX Panel can be accessed using the links below:
first_plenary_meeting_-_10_september_09.pdf
second_plenary_meeting_-_12th_november.pdf
Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP)
Northern Ireland Science Park Foundation Limited ('NISP') was established in March 1999 by Government (DETI), Queen's University Belfast and the University of Ulster, to create a self sustaining, internationally recognised knowledge-based Science Park in Northern Ireland offering a commercial and research driven centre for knowledge-based industries.
The Northern Ireland Science Park's website can be accessed using the link below
For further information on any of the areas detailed above, please contact innovationpolicyunit@detini.gov.uk
