Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland is a new, competitive research and innovation funding agency in Ireland.
The establishment of the agency was a key action of Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy.
Research Ireland was established on 1st August 2024, following an amalgamation of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Irish Research Council (IRC).
Research Ireland is an agency of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science working in collaboration with higher education institutions and other state agencies such as the Higher Education Authority (HEA), IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.
Objectives of Research Ireland
As set out in the Research and Innovation Bill 2024
- Promote the attainment and maintenance of excellence in the standard and quality of research and innovation.
- Support the undertaking of research and innovation in all fields of activity and disciplines by researchers with different levels of knowledge, experience and specialist skills in such fields or disciplines.
- Promote and support the contribution made by research and innovation to economic, social, cultural and environmental development and sustainability in the State.
- Strengthen the engagement of the research and innovation system with:
- the Government, Ministers of the Government and bodies (whether statutory or otherwise) which are funded wholly or partly by public moneys, and
- enterprise, non-governmental organisations, cultural institutions and society generally; to promote and develop the reputation of the State internationally as a location that is favourable for undertaking research and innovation; to advance the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion with regard to opportunities to undertake research and innovation and in the undertaking of that research and innovation.