Research Ireland funding creates eight spin-outs, report shows

In its inaugural annual report, Research Ireland, the Government's science and innovation agency, has announced that it has disbursed €313 million in research grants. Established in August 2024, the organization succeeded the merger of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council, and it has already made a significant impact with its €610 million in committed funding.

According to the agency's report, the investment has resulted in the creation of 40% more non-Exchequer funding compared to the previous year, reaching €227.3 million, which is a 14% increase since 2024. Research Ireland has funded more than 3,000 PhDs, 1,000 senior researchers, and nearly 1,500 postdoctoral fellows, providing substantial support to the Irish research community.

Among the researchers supported by the agency, 40% of principal investigators and co-principal investigators are women, and 51% of grant holders are women. Since its launch, Research Ireland has published nearly 6,000 papers, secured 167 invention disclosures, and facilitated the formation of eight new spin-outs. These achievements demonstrate the agency's commitment to enhancing Ireland's research and innovation landscape.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, TD, emphasized the importance of the report in reflecting on the impact of public investment in research, as well as highlighting the agency's progress with its new initiatives such as the RINN network, Global Talent Ireland, and the Inspire collaboration with the Higher Education Authority.

Research Ireland chairperson Michael Horgan also praised the agency's work, stating that it has successfully combined the strengths and expertise of the organizations that formed it, while maintaining a focus on excellence, transparency, and impact.