1,629 researchers across a portfolio of awards worth over €100 million supported by the Irish Research Council in 2016
Posted: 6 April, 2017
In addition to launching the Irish Research Council Laureate Awards, the Council today launched its 2016 annual report. The report highlights the Council’s support of 1,629 researchers last year, across a portfolio of awards worth in excess of €100 million.
Also in 2016, the Council:
- Funded projects with 223 enterprise partners;
- Supported 55 projects involving collaboration with civic society groups;
- Engaged in partnerships with 17 different Government Departments and State Agencies;
- Provided 106 knowledge exchange and networking awards; and
- Funded 29 flagship projects marking the Decade of Centenaries.
Commenting today, Dr Eucharia Meehan, Director of the Irish Research Council, said: “In 2016, we increased collaboration with a wide range of public sector, industry and civil society partners. We also launched the #LoveIrishResearch campaign, aimed at raising public awareness of the importance of research.
“Having a vibrant research community – and strong public support for research – is increasingly important. Over the past year, we have seen extremely worrying trends emerge, including ‘alternative facts’, fake news and the notion of a ‘post-truth’ society.
“Against this backdrop, it is more important than ever before that we fund and promote researchers to produce quality research and facts of undisputed provenance.”
2017: A Milestone Year
Dr Meehan said 2017 will be a “milestone year” for the Irish Research Council.
“This year is shaping up to be even busier than the last,” she said. “Throughout 2017, we will be celebrating 15 years of funding excellent research across all disciplines, and we will be marking this milestone year by engaging in high-profile public events and producing a suite of research-focused resources.”
