Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
263. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the State supports which are available to companies, universities and postgraduate students to carry out of research in the field of renewable energy. [6162/26]
View answerFunding to support research in the field of renewable energy is available from my Department through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) National Energy Research Development and Demonstration (RD&D) Funding Programme. This Programme invests in innovative energy RD&D projects which contribute to Ireland's transition to a clean and secure energy future. The programme is open to public and private sector organisations based in Ireland who wish to carry out projects in Ireland. Through its 2024 annual call, this programme awarded approximately €20m in funding to support innovative energy RD&D projects.The SEAI also provides research fellowship funding for individuals through the SEAI ENERGISE Fellowship Programme, which includes funding for researchers in academia or based within SEAI. Both programmes typically run an annual call for proposals during Q1 each year.
Further information on SEAI supports are outlined on the SEAI website at www.seai.ie/seai-research/research-funding
Earlier in January, Research Ireland launched its Public Service Fellowship Programme whichoffersresearchersa unique opportunityto betemporarilyseconded to Government Departments and Agencies to work onspecific projectswhere they can add valueresulting in mutually beneficial outcomes. There are five fellowship opportunities within my Department, two of these are energy-related, one focused on energy systems modelling, and another on electricity storage policy. There are also four energy-related fellowship opportunities within the SEAI. Fellowships can have a duration of between 6 and 12 months if full-time, and between 12 and 24 months if part-time. The maximum award amount is €130,000 direct costs. The deadline for applications to this call is the 16 April 2026.
Further details of the Research Ireland Public Service Fellowship are available at:
www.researchireland.ie/funding/public-service-fellowship/
Alongside the above supports, there are a number of additional established supports and funding sources available. National funding opportunities include the above research and innovation supports provided by the SEAI, and also by Enterprise Ireland, and Research Ireland; and at European level through the European Commission Horizon Europe Programme and the EU Innovation Fund.
My Department is also the National Contact Point (NCP) for the EU Innovation Fund, with further details available on Gov.ie at:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/innovation-fund/
