SFI Funds Future Research Talent

A government investment of €10.8 million to fund projects through Science Foundation Ireland’s (SFI) Starting Investigator Research Grant (SIRG), has been announced by Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen. The awards, ranging from €376,000 to €425,000 over four years, will support 20 researchers and a further 20 PhD students carrying out studies in the health and medical, food, energy and environment, manufacturing and materials, ICT and Communications sectors.

Minister Breen said: “I am delighted to announce these SFI Starting Investigator Awards which allow researchers to advance their work and further develop their careers as the next research leaders in Ireland and internationally. These innovative projects demonstrate the impressive cutting-edge research taking place across Ireland, which has significant potential to positively advance Ireland’s economy and society and further solidify its reputation as a world-leader in scientific advancements.”

Welcoming the announcement, Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland said: “Science Foundation Ireland supports researchers at every stage of their careers. The SIRG awards help early-career researchers develop the essential skills and experience necessary to lead Ireland’s future research in areas such as health, energy, materials and technology. Having passed through a rigorous competitive international merit review process, these projects continue to advance Ireland’s international research reputation.”

The projects will be funded through ten research bodies, as follows: Trinity College Dublin (6); University College Dublin (3); University College Cork (2); University of Limerick (1); Dublin City University (2); Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (2); Tyndall National institute (1); National University of Ireland Galway (1), Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (1) and Teagasc (1).

John Halligan TD, Minister for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development also launched the new Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Frontiers for the Future programme, which will provide opportunities for independent investigators to conduct highly innovative, collaborative research with the potential to deliver impact, whilst also providing opportunities for high-risk, high-reward research projects.

“The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation is pleased to be investing in this new programme, which will support individual-led research, ensuring a bright future for Ireland through discovery, innovation and tangible impact. I look forward to the great opportunities that SFI Frontiers for the Future will create for the researchers already carrying out excellent work in Ireland, as well as for those in the early stages of their research careers who hold fantastic potential,” the Minister said.

For more information visit www.sfi.ie