Irish Research Council awards €33.7m to researchers
Last year around 1,400 researchers were awarded €33.7m by the Irish Research Council (IRC), according to the organisation’s annual report.
1,147 researchers were funded at postgraduate level, with the remainder conducting research at postdoctoral level.
Chair of the IRC Professor Jane Ohlmeyer said: “Since the establishment of the first Research Council in 2000, we have funded almost 6,500 researchers. The researchers we are funding are powering the knowledge economy and cementing Ireland’s position as an innovation leader.
“91% of researchers funded at postgraduate level have gone on to secure employment in expert roles, while 95% of those funded at postdoctoral level are also now in expert jobs. Our alumni work both within and outside academia, contributing important research skills and knowledge to the economy, society and culture.
“Last year was one of our busiest years to date, with a particular focus on further developing our partnerships with enterprise, civic society and government, and successfully securing EU funding.”
The IRC’s contribution to success at European level includes 77% of European Research Council (ERC) starting grant awardees, who were previously supported by the IRC under Horizon 2020, and assisting the Irish Research Community in securing more than €80m in funds. The European Commission’s 2014 data shows Ireland as the second most successful country per researcher in attracting Horizon 2020 funding.
The IRC also boasts a 100% success rate in applications for funding under Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, through which it has acquired more than €17m to date.
