THIRTY ADVANCED research projects are to share funding worth €39 million, allocated under the latest State investment in scientific research via Science Foundation Ireland.
The cash will support the work of 151 scientists in areas including cancer, obesity, renewable energy and communications networks.
The high-value awards are typically for four years, with the principal investigator assembling a team of graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral researchers.
The awards are selected by international peer review, with no Irish involvement, said Prof Mark Ferguson, director general of the foundation.
“This is a highly competitive process,” he said. Many of the projects will include significant involvement by private sector partner companies – firms such as Intel, Analog Devices, JJ and Hitachi.
The recipients will also have annual assessments to confirm progress is being made on the research front.
“We want to see a focus on areas where we can build a credible reputation and future,” said Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton at the launch in Trinity College Dublin’s new Biomedical Sciences Institute.
It was noteworthy that of the 4,000 jobs created by IDA Ireland-backed companies here so far this year, about 3,000 had a connection to the foundation’s work, he added.
The supported projects all involve very elaborate science, but many have potential for commercialisation.
