Among the 36 projects to be funded are:
- Tackling Climate Misinformation in Ireland: An Evidence Base and Novel Resources for Journalists and Communications Professionals (University of Galway – co-funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and Met Éireann)
- Investigating surface microplastics release from daily-use plastic products (Trinity College Dublin)
- Creating an open-source health-economic model for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in Ireland (RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences)
- A Life with Endometriosis: Empowering Individuals through Technology / Tech4Endo (University College Dublin)
- Noninvasive Optical Assessment of Bone Quality – aiming to pioneer a technique that could significantly reduce fragility fractures and associated economic burdens from bone-related disorders (Tyndall National Institute)
- An Analysis of the Gender Balance of Opera Productions on the Island of Ireland, 2000-25 (University of Galway)
Commenting on the awards, Celine Fitzgerald, Interim CEO, Research Ireland, said
“Our Pathway programme equips promising researchers with the resources needed to reach the next level and help drive impactful discoveries. These projects will contribute valuable insights into pressing global and national issues including public health policy, digital well-being, technological advancements, healthcare and more.”
The funding, covering a four-year period, will support researchers and provide resources to establish independent research careers. This targeted investment will provide each project with additional support for a postgraduate student who will be primarily supervised by the awardee.
Co-funders in this Research Ireland Pathway programme investment are the Environmental Protection Agency (4 projects), Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (2 projects), and Met Éireann (1 project), and have contributed a total of €1.7 million to the programme.
The 36 funded projects will be hosted across 11 research institutions, including: Dublin City University (5); University College Cork (6); University College Dublin (5); Trinity College Dublin (4); RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences (3); Tyndall National Institute (3); University of Galway (6); Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (2); Maynooth University (1); Technological University Dublin (1); and University of Limerick (1).
Photo Caption: Pictured at the announcement of €23 million Research Ireland Pathway funding for early-career researchers were (left-right): Dr Marco Rosario Capodiferro, Trinity College Dublin and Pathway awardee, James Lawless TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Research for Society at Research Ireland. (Photo: Jason Clarke Photography)
