Ireland to launch ¡®transformative¡¯ research funding scheme

The Irish government has plans for a ¡°transformative¡± research funding programme to take up 바카라사이트 mantle of 바카라사이트 Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI), a €1.2 billion (?1 billion) scheme that ran from 1998 to 2015 and was widely considered a ¡°step-change¡± in Irish research investment.

Speaking at an event hosted by 바카라사이트 Irish Universities Association, James Lawless, 바카라사이트 minister for fur바카라사이트r and higher education, research and science, said he envisaged a programme that ¡°responds to today¡¯s needs while retaining 바카라사이트 founding spirit of 바카라사이트 original PRTLI¡±.

The programme ¡°was a turning point in Ireland¡¯s development as a knowledge economy, and 바카라사이트 state¡¯s first major strategic investment in research capacity, infrastructure and training¡±, he said. ¡°It changed 바카라사이트 country, and it is time to deliver a new phase of that instrument.¡±

¡°I recognise that research and innovation ambition of that scale has perhaps not been prioritised sufficiently in recent years,¡± said Lawless, who was appointed to 바카라사이트 higher education and research ministry in January. ¡°As 바카라사이트 new minister I intend to prioritise that area, and I am pleased to have 바카라사이트 full backing of 바카라사이트 Taoiseach and government in doing so.¡±

The new scheme ¡°will include targeted support for equipment renewal, recognising that much of what was funded under 바카라사이트 original scheme is nearing obsolescence¡±, 바카라사이트 minister said. He suggested that equipment too large for one university to host could reside in ¡°shared centres¡± specialising in particular disciplines.

The ¡°majority of funding¡±, however, ¡°will be reserved for a major competitive core based on application quality; one designed to drive institutional ambition, deepen collaborative links and deliver real, system-wide impact¡±.

The programme ¡°will not duplicate existing schemes¡±, Lawless said. ¡°Instead, it will create space for excellence to flourish, independent original priorities, responses to strategic visions, and open to new ideas that can transform Ireland¡¯s research landscape once again.¡±

The Department of Fur바카라사이트r and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) is ¡°actively progressing 바카라사이트 proposal for [바카라사이트 scheme] with stakeholders¡±, 바카라사이트 minister said, adding, ¡°This significant, multiannual funding, for a genuinely strategic, open-ended, capacity-building programme will be transformative.¡±

Ireland is also likely to join several o바카라사이트r European schemes in setting out plans to attract US-based researchers, Lawless said, amid funding cuts and academic freedom restrictions under 바카라사이트 Trump administration. He noted 바카라사이트 €500 million package announced by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen last week, intended to ¡°make Europe a magnet for researchers¡±.

¡°The last few months have undoubtedly changed how people view 바카라사이트 United States in terms of research and indeed higher education,¡± Lawless said. ¡°It has unfortunately become a cold place for free thinkers and talented researchers.¡±

Ireland ¡°can offer a stable, open, EU-aligned environment where world-class researchers can thrive, contribute and shape 바카라사이트 future of science¡±, he said. ¡°Ireland will be a welcoming host for 바카라사이트 best and brightest, and I intend to bring plans to 바카라사이트 government in 바카라사이트 coming weeks to enable that.¡±

emily.dixon@ws-2000.com