Boost for third-level research as 47 projects awarded €8.5m funding

IRELAND’S improvement in global research rankings may continue after €8.5 million was awarded to 47 projects yesterday.

The latest phase of the Research Frontiers Programme, funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), will involve 105 college researchers taking on work in a range of areas.

They include studies around cystic fibrosis, genetics, bacterial and viral infections, environmental monitoring, food safety and streaming of media over wireless networks.

The funding covers research over three and four-year periods at University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin; NUI Galway; University College Cork; Dublin City University; NUI Maynooth; Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; University of Limerick; Tyndall National Institute Cork; Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies and Institute of Technology Tallaght.

SFI director general, Professor Frank Gannon, said the investment will further advance the Government goal of becoming a hub for international research, with 537 scientific papers and 716 academic collaborations resulting from the programme last year. “It has contributed to Ireland’s rapid ascent in the ranking of scientific output, rising from 36th place in 2003 to recently breaking into the top 20. Ireland has joined countries such as Finland, Germany and the US in the scientific output stakes.”

Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Minister Batt O’Keeffe said the funding will create jobs and training opportunities for 105 people, mainly PhD students.

“Their work will in turn generate new jobs down the line which will have significant implications for our wellbeing as a nation.”