Science Foundation Ireland is to provide almost €7 million in support to 62 early stage research projects.

Minister of State for Innovation Seán Sherlock today announced the awards, which target projects regarded as having potential to grow commercially and create employment.

Among the activities being funded through the foundation’s Technology Innovation Development Award programme are research on drugs to treat cancer and diabetes; “Big Data” projects; research on the detection of Alzheimer’s disease, and work on underground power cable technology.

“Today’s funding announcement will help deliver the commercialisation of excellent research taking place in Ireland in a range of areas such as ICT, ‘Big Data’, medical technologies and food,” Mr Sherlock said.

“These are areas of significant employment and should provide additional opportunities for Ireland.”

About 100 of the researchers involved will receive advice and training from Enterprise Ireland aimed at improving their entrepreneurial skills and helping them commercialise their projects.