Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 July 2025
1040. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update as of July 2025 on the Programme for Government commitment to create research fellowships to strengthen Ireland’s appeal to top-tier academic and research talent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39533/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a comprehensive and ambitious set of commitments for research and innovation in the Programme for Government. This work, including the commitment to create research fellowships to strengthen Ireland’s appeal to top-tier academic and research talent, will be progressed via a number of policies, primarily under Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy.
Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland funds partnerships of all scales, from curiosity-driven research across all disciplines and career stages, including early-career researchers, to large-scale research and innovation mechanisms.
In June 2025 I announced €23 million in Research Ireland funding to support 36 projects for early-career researchers. By aligning with Ireland’s national research priorities, these projects will help drive advancements in key sectors.
The Research Ireland Fellowship Programme will see early career researchers be based in Research Ireland for up to two years. Research Ireland will select candidates who are open to taking on new projects outside their current expertise and have ongoing interest in career progression. Research Ireland Fellowship placements will commence during October 2025.
I have also announced the launch of Global Talent Ireland, a bold new initiative to attract international research talent to Ireland. Initial planning is focused on attracting approximately 45 researchers in the coming 3-year period. The investment required will not only facilitate the projects the researchers are investigating, it will also attract further high-calibre talent and add to the knowledge and skills base within the Irish?University?landscape.
In addition, there are a broad suite of opportunities under Horizon Europe’s Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), to build and promote high-impact research fellowships. By strategically expanding its engagement with MSCA instruments, Ireland can substantially enhance the scale, global competitiveness, and transformative potential of its research fellowship landscape.
