The provisional return for the number of new Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland funded postdoctoral researchers in 2024 is 325.
Targets that had been set for 2024 reflected a conservative estimate of agency capacity considering the anticipated dissolution of the two previous agencies, and the establishment of the new agency in August 2024. Output targets for 2025 have been held relatively static whilst the newly established agency engages in extensive stakeholder consultation and prepares the long-term corporate plan to reflect the expanded remit of Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland which is scheduled for completion at the end of 2025.
Output trends over time reflect the cyclical nature of research funding activity. Under the last Research Ireland Centres programme, cohorts of researchers were recruited for terms of up to four years, with the last intake running from 2023 until 2026/2027. 400 new postdoctoral researchers were funded by Research Ireland in that year.
The Department will be working with Research Ireland on a revised set of metrics, which will be fully aligned with the Agency’s strategic plan and national goals, including under Impact 2030, Ireland's national research and innovation strategy. The output targets for the coming period will necessarily take cyclical research funding programmes into consideration and will reflect the anticipated impact of a new Research Ireland Centres programme launching in 2026.
