€300m boost to third-level research to drive job growth
The fifth cycle of the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) announced by Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe yesterday will be targeted under four headings. As well as a focus on providing state-of-the-art accommodation, colleges will be asked for proposals to develop shared facilities in areas of national importance and to restructure PhD programmes in a way that enables students to take up careers in academia, or in the private and public sectors.
Research proposals in the areas of biomedical and health, chemistry and pharmaceutical, marine environment, waste management and cultural heritage will be sought by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in the coming weeks. But colleges will also be asked to submit applications to support research in new and emerging areas, such as plant/crop bio-sciences, new ways to generate and manage electricity, and initiatives focused on services industries such as finance, business and IT.
