Top colleges net €58m in funds

THE country’s three biggest third-level universities have scooped almost half of a €58 million funding boost for research facilities in higher education.

The research facilities enhancement scheme was set up after a review identified shortfalls in buildings and equipment for third-level research.

The Higher Education Authority assessed projects submitted for funding by colleges and the successful initiatives were announced by Education Minister Mary Hanafin yesterday.

The awards ranged from €35,000 for an upgrade of postgraduate research facilities at Mary Immaculate College in Co Limerick to €8.1m to create additional research laboratories at the science centre in University College Dublin.

The university is the single biggest recipient from the total €58m initiative, with another €2m being provided to create a dedicated facility for UCD’s nano-biology research programme, bringing total investment to €10.1m.

Trinity College Dublin has received funding for three building and equipment projects worth €8m, while €7.5m has been awarded for two developments at University College Cork.

Other significant beneficiaries among the 20 colleges awarded funding are National University of Ireland Galway (€6.2m), Dublin City University (€5m), National University of Ireland Maynooth (€4.9m) and University of Limerick (€4.8m).