New national Research and Innovation Strategy is a pivotal opportunity for Irish research
Posted: 11 July, 2022
The new national Research and Innovation Strategy, Impact 2030, is a pivotal opportunity to build Ireland’s capacity for research across all disciplines, and to help tackle current and future issues facing the country, the Irish Research Council (IRC) has said.
The IRC Board met with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, today (11.07.22) to discuss the strategy’s implementation and the IRC’s role in the formation of the proposed new national funding agency.
During the meeting, IRC Board members were given a presentation on Impact 2030, before engaging in a roundtable discussion with the Minister, during which they put forward the Council’s perspective on the implementation of the new strategy.
Under Impact 2030, a new competitive research and innovation funding agency will be formed, combining and building on the missions of the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland.
The Board also outlined the unique role of the IRC in maintaining funding support across all disciplines and career levels, and highlighted the national importance of funding both basic and applied research.
Welcoming the opportunity to meet with the Board of the IRC, Minister Harris TD, said: “Impact 2030 offers a new dawn for research and innovation in Ireland. The Irish Research Council supports our most esteemed research community, which is central to the future of research in this country. I am pleased to meet with the Board of the Council today to discuss the future of research and innovation in Ireland and to outline our ambition for a unified research ecosystem. I would particularly like to congratulate Professor Daniel Carey on his reappointment as Chair of the IRC.”
Chair of the IRC, Professor Daniel Carey, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Minister today to discuss the exciting plans for the Irish research and innovation system under Impact 2030. The IRC has successfully supported researchers across all career stages and in all disciplines, and has fostered important collaborations with other organisations, whether they are in the private sector, public sector or civic society. It is also the largest competitive funder of research in the arts, humanities and social sciences, with a commitment to excellence across all areas that it supports. We look forward to working with the Department to build upon this track record in the formation of a new national funding agency.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Dr Alan Wall said, “The recent launch of Impact 2030 represents a significant moment in the transformation of the research funding landscape in the State. The Minister’s visit is an opportunity for the IRC Board to present the perspective not only of the Council, but also of the many Irish researchers whose work has been supported by the IRC. The HEA looks forward to supporting the implementation of Impact 2030 and its vision for the renewal and growth of Irish research and innovation.”
