A €104 million investment in scientific research across Ireland has been announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD, and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD.

 

The funding is being allocated to four SFI Research Centres: BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre and I-Form SFI Research Centre for Advanced Manufacturing, both based at UCD; VistaMilk SFI Research Centre and FutureNeuro SFI Research Centre for Neurological Diseases. An additional €21 million has been committed by these Centres’ industry partners.

 

Commenting on the announcement, Minister O’Donovan said: “The bioeconomy, agrifood, neurological disease and manufacturing are each critically important to how we function as individuals and how we develop our economy. While significant scientific advances have been made in these areas by Ireland’s research ecosystem, we need to remain vigilant in addressing challenges old and new, and turning these opportunities into real world impacts that people can see and feel.

 

“Today’s investment is as a result of close collaboration between individual researchers, research teams, research institutions, industry and government departments. I warmly welcome this multilayered partnership approach, and wish, in particular, to thank industry for their integral role.”

 

Executive Director of BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre, Derek O'Brien said: "We're delighted with this major investment in BiOrbic and the bioeconomy. It significantly boosts our work as Ireland's national bioeconomy centre connecting primary producers, industry, NGOs, academics, communities & citizens to create a sustainable bio-based and prosperous future."

 

I-Form Director, Professor Denis Dowling said: “The SFI Research Centres programme funding for I-Form Phase 2 will enable us to deliver a step-change in manufacturing research, focused on both processing efficiency and sustainability.”

 

The I-Form Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre officially launched the second phase of its research programme, supported by €25 million of the Government investment through SFI.

 

An expanded and ambitious research programme will focus on harnessing the potential of the digital transformation in manufacturing, thus increasing the competitiveness and sustainability of Irish manufacturing on the world stage.

 

Dr Triona Kennedy, Senior Research Manager at Stryker, one of I-Form’s key industry partners, was among those who contributed to a panel discussion at the formal SFI launch event at Mansion House, Dublin, in May.

 

Learn more about the of BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre and I-Form SFI Research Centre for Advanced Manufacturing, based at UCD.