Ireland announces €16m in research awards

The Irish government has announced funding totalling nearly €19m for 353 postgraduates and postdoctoral candidates through the Irish Research Council.

The awardees will be funded through a multi-annual investment of €16.8m from the Dublin government, with a further €2m being invested by the EU and enterprise partners. The announcement will see graduates receive financing under the ‘The Government of Ireland Postgraduate and Postdoctoral Scheme’, ‘The Enterprise Partnership Scheme’ and the ‘The ELEVATE (Marie-Curie Co-Fund) Scheme’.

Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock, said: “The awards now being made by the Irish Research Council provide significant funding for researchers in a wide range of disciplines in the areas of science, technology and the humanities. This funding supports a new generation of researchers and continues our emphasis on creating a vibrant research community which is essential for Ireland’s future economic growth and reputation as a knowledge society.”

Over 1,600 graduates applied to receive funding. The financing will assist the beneficiaries in supporting the development of innovative and creative ideas and help the awardees begin their research careers.

Sherlock added: “The progress of our research system is a result of having a strong cohort of highly creative and innovative researchers who will be Ireland’s future leading innovators. Research investments have already had a very positive impact on Ireland’s development and highlights how research, development and innovation can contribute significantly to job creation and economic prosperity”.

The Irish Research Council supports postgraduate and early stage postdoctoral researchers. The Council aims to encourage interdisciplinary research and engagement with employers as well as aims to support an expertise-driven research system in order to enhance Ireland’s innovation capacity and skills base in a rapidly changing global environment.