Funding for frontier research announced through new Irish Research Council Laureate Awards

The Laureate Awards programme was officially launched today (06.04.17) by the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton TD, and the Minister for Training, Skills and Innovation, John Halligan TD.  Initial funding of €2.5 million was announced to start the programme by the Government last October as part of Budget 2017. This will result in a minimum of 24 awards made in the first iteration of the programme, each valued up to €400k or €600k depending on the type of award.

What is frontier research?

Welcoming the Minister’s announcement, Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, Chair of the Irish Research Council, said: “Frontier research’ refers to research at the forefront of creating new knowledge.  It is research that is daring, that pushes boundaries, that moves beyond the frontiers of our current understanding.

“For too long, this type of research has been chronically underfunded.  Currently, our research ecosystem holds very few opportunities for exceptional researchers to engage in frontier research.  With the new Laureate Awards, that’s all about to change.”

Professor Ohlmeyer said, in recent years, frontier research has gained increasing support from governments across the world and, at pan-European level, from the European Research Council.

“History shows clearly why this type of research is worth funding,” she said.  “In Ireland alone, you can look at examples like George Boole’s work in the 1850s: his system of Boolean algebra is now used in the design and operation of computers and switching circuits.  Or there’s Irish physicist Ernest Walton: he designed and built the first successful particle accelerator, which enabled him – along with John Cockcroft – to split the atom in the early 1930s.

“Frontier research can enhance our understanding of the world and lead to practical applications now, or many years in the future.”

Examples of frontier research currently underway in Ireland include the following:

• Professor Daniel Kelly, based at Trinity College Dublin, is developing tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting strategies to regenerate damaged and diseased musculoskeletal tissues.
• Professor Anna Davies, also of Trinity College Dublin, is assessing the practice and sustainability potential of food-sharing in cities.
• Professor Emma Teeling, of University College Dublin, is researching the molecular basis of extended health-spans by studying wild bats that live for exceptionally long periods of time.
• Dr Maria McNamara of University College Cork is researching the evolution of animal colours, and exploring how coloration is preserved in fossils.

Funding criteria

For the first call under the new Irish Research Council Laureate Awards, applications are invited from researchers across all disciplines at the early and mid-stages of their careers.

Researchers from anywhere in the world may apply to the awards programme. Funding will be awarded solely on the basis of excellence, with applications assessed through a rigorous and independent international peer-review process.

“This new programme has a key role to play both in retaining excellent researchers in the Irish system and in attracting the best research talent to Ireland,” said Professor Ohlmeyer. “It will enhance our overall competitiveness and should ensure greater success for Ireland-based researchers in European awards programmes.”