Irish Research Council awards €22 million to 284 researchers

The Irish Research Council has made awards valued at €22 million to 284 early-career researchers under its Government of Ireland programmes.

These programmes provide support for exceptional postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers, thus ensuring that Ireland’s research and innovation base continues to cultivate expertise and knowledge for the future.

Details of awards made under the 2017 programmes were announced by Minister of State for Training, Skills and Innovation, John Halligan TD, at an event in Waterford Institute of Technology.

Homelessness and housing exclusion, antimicrobial resistance, research on 5G networks and the health status of older people in residential care are among the research areas receiving funding this year.

Announcing the awards, Minister Halligan said: “As set out in Innovation 2020, Ireland’s strategy for research and development, science and technology, the Government has a vision of Ireland as a global innovation leader.   This will be our goal into the future, and investment in early-career researchers across all disciplines is critical to delivering on this goal.  We want to see the best and the brightest minds develop into the kind of creative thinkers and innovators that will drive new knowledge and discoveries and ultimately support economic growth and social progress.

“In recent years, the Irish Research Council has funded 58 researchers here at Waterford Institute of Technology alone, representing an investment of over €4 million. This investment encompasses postgraduate, postdoctoral and principal investigator-led awards.  I look forward to continuing to work with the Irish Research Council to deliver on its mission of sustaining a vibrant research community to underpin Ireland’s future.

Speaking at the announcement of the awards, Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, Chair of the Irish Research Council, said: “We are delighted to announce funding for 284 early-career researchers for the coming year. Our programmes are highly competitive and internationally reviewed, which means that the successful awardees have demonstrated the highest standards of excellence. We look forward to supporting the researchers as they cultivate important skills and expertise for a variety of career avenues, including academia, industry, civil society and the public sector.

“The Council’s Government of Ireland research funding plays a crucial role in ensuring that the Irish research and innovation system has access to a pipeline of exceptional research talent. Talent development across a diversity of fields and disciplines supports a strong and balanced research system which has the capacity to respond to new opportunities and address complex national and global challenges.”

Researchers awarded Government of Ireland funding

The 284 researchers receiving support under the Government of Ireland programmes this year include:

• Sarah Parker, a postgraduate student at Trinity College Dublin, whose research is focused on family homelessness and housing exclusion in the Dublin region.
• Boglarka Krkos, a postgraduate student at Cork Institute of Technology, who will work towards identifying novel antimicrobials for the control of antibiotic resistant pathogens.
• Eva Barrett, a postdoctoral researcher at National University of Ireland, Galway, who is investigating how a strengthening programme can improve the health of older people in residential care.
• Madhusanka Liyanage, a postdoctoral researcher based at University College Dublin, who is researching secure east/west-bound communication for 5G networks.