Research Ireland Annual Report highlights strength of Ireland’s research and innovation ecosystem
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has launched the first annual report from Research Ireland, highlighting the agency’s role in supporting excellent research and innovation across Ireland and strengthening collaboration with industry and international partners.
In 2025, its first full year, Research Ireland committed €288 million to more than 1,000 research awards across discovery research, major infrastructure, and work focused on societal and economic challenges.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Lawless said,
Ireland’s researchers are making an extraordinary contribution to our society, economy and global reputation. Their work is helping to strengthen Ireland’s position as a global leader in research and innovation.
The report provides an opportunity to reflect on Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland’s first full year of operation and the impact of public investment in research. It also comes at a time of continued momentum, with Research Ireland advancing key initiatives including the new RINN network, Global Talent Ireland and working in collaboration with the Higher Education Authority to deliver Inspire, helping to ensure Ireland can deliver and support world-class research and innovation.
The Annual Report demonstrates the confidence that national and international partners place in Ireland’s research system. Research Ireland manages €610 million in committed funding across its programmes and paid out €313 million in 2025. That investment leveraged a further €310 million, while non-Exchequer funding rose to €227.3 million, up 14% on the previous year. Researchers based in Ireland also secured €129 million from EU programmes, up 10% year-on-year.
Chair of the Board of Research Ireland, Michael Horgan, said:
The creation of Research Ireland marked an important step in strengthening Ireland’s research and innovation system. Since its establishment, the agency has successfully brought together the strengths and expertise of the organisations that formed Research Ireland, while maintaining a commitment to excellence, transparency and impact.
The Board remains focused on supporting excellent research, developing talent and enhancing Ireland’s reputation as a world-class location for research and innovation.
The report highlights the importance of maintaining a balanced research and innovation system, supporting fundamental discovery alongside research that addresses societal and economic challenges. This breadth of investment helps develop talent, strengthen research capacity and keep Ireland internationally competitive. It also ensures that research continues to generate new knowledge, informs policy, delivers benefits for society and creates economic opportunities.
Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, said:
This first annual report reflects the scale and breadth of activity taking place across Ireland’s research and innovation system. From supporting researchers at every stage of their careers to strengthening links with industry, government, civic society and international partners, it demonstrates the value of sustained investment in a strong and connected research ecosystem.
Ultimately, this report is about people. It is about the researchers whose ideas, creativity and expertise drive progress, and the difference research and innovation can make for society, the economy and future generations.
Supporting Talent Across Disciplines
The report highlights Research Ireland’s support for talent across all disciplines, including 3,230 PhD researchers, 1,487 postdoctoral fellows and 1,032 investigators. Funded researchers reported 5,887 publications and 204 artistic and creative outputs.
It also points to significant engagement beyond academia, including 1,115 interactions with Government departments and 837 with charities and NGOs. Researchers recorded 3,755 industry engagements, helped sustain more than 58,000 jobs, secured €76.6 million in industry funding and reported 167 invention disclosures.
Internationally, researchers based in Ireland recorded 7,863 collaborations across 106 countries, with 72% involving overseas partners. They also secured 23 European Research Council awards.
Research Ireland’s Annual Report is available here: www.researchireland.ie/annual-report
Image caption: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has today launched Research Ireland’s inaugural annual report. Pictured (l–r): Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Research for Society, Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, Chief Executive; Minister James Lawless TD; Dr Siobhán Roche, Director of Research for the Economy; and Michael Horgan, Chair, Research Ireland. In 2025, its first full year, the Agency committed €288 million to supporting more than 1,000 research awards across discovery research, major infrastructure, and work focused on societal and economic challenges. Image credit: Kenneth O’Halloran.
