Research Ireland Centres

The Research Ireland Centres were established in 2012 to position Ireland as a global knowledge leader by developing a set of world‑class, large‑scale national Research Centres delivering economic and societal impact.

Today, the network of Centres promote discovery, innovation and collaboration across academia, government and industry—strengthening Ireland’s research ecosystem and driving competitiveness in key strategic areas such as AI, Med-tech, Agri-tech, Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, Health, Materials, Bioeconomy and future communications.

Centres play a key role in developing talent by providing advanced training for PhD students and early‑career researchers who will become the next generation of research and industry leaders.

Centres have significantly expanded Ireland’s research capacity, attracting Irish and foreign-owned businesses, supporting high‑quality sustainable jobs, and enabling researchers at all stages of their careers to advance their work. They connect scientists and engineers through partnerships with 812 global research organisations, and have signed 900 collaborative research agreements with 470 companies worldwide (including 230 in Ireland). 

By delivering breakthroughs in strategically important fields and fostering deep industry collaboration, the Research Ireland Centres play a vital role in strengthening Ireland’s innovation leadership and ensuring the country remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.