Ulysses 2026

Background

The aim of the Ulysses scheme is to foster new collaborations between Ireland and France-based researchers by providing seed funding for reciprocal travel visits. The scheme thus facilitates the exchange of innovative ideas and approaches across all disciplines.

In order to facilitate more collaborative engagements, funding is now provided over the course of 2 calendar years and has been increased to €5,000 each to Ireland and France-based research partners.

The Irish Research Council and the Embassy of France in Ireland are committed to supporting continued knowledge exchange between Irish and French researchers through appropriate forms of collaboration.

This year, selected research projects will also be supported by the following strategic partners:

• Electricity transmission system operator EirGrid will partner with France-based Réseau de Transport d’Électricité to support suitably aligned research projects in the area of enewable energies and smart grids.
• The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and ADEME, the French Environment and Energy Management Agency, will provide support to research projects exploring topics relating to sustainable energies.
• Geological Survey Ireland will support excellent geoscience research which aims to improve our understanding and management of Earth systems and resources

What we offer

A Ulysses award will involve researcher(s) based in Ireland travelling to France and researcher(s) based in France travelling to Ireland.

Awards will be up to a maximum of €5,000 each to the lead Ireland and the lead France-based research partner to cover travel and living expenses. These awards are simultaneously receivable and must be used by end of the 2026 calendar year.

 

How to apply

One electronic copy of the application form and all related attachments must be submitted via email to ulysses@research.ie by a person authorised by their institution to hold responsibility for research grants.

Queries not addressed in the Call Document or Terms and Conditions will be answered using a frequently asked questions process. Research offices may send any queries they are unable to clarify to ulysses@research.ie.

Please note that any application submitted to the IRC needs to be matched by an application submitted by the French Partner to Campus France  – please see Programme Ulysses 2025 | Campus France for more information.

 

Key Dates

Celebrating 25 Years of the Ulysses Scheme

In order to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the Ulysses Scheme researchers who were awarded funding in the latest round of the scheme were honoured at a special Bloomsday-themed reception hosted by the French Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Mr. Vincent Guérend, at his Dublin residence. Since its establishment in 1997 the Ulysses scheme has funded over 700 awardees across all research disciplines, from humanities and social sciences through to engineering, earth and life sciences, mathematics, biotechnology and computer science.