The Research Centres Programme, launched in 2012, aims to develop a set of world-leading, large-scale research centres on a themed basis in order to align this major investment to areas which can generate maximum economic and societal benefit for Ireland.
Name in original language
SFI Research Centres and Spokes Programme
Initiative overview
These new programmes by Science Foundation Ireland, replace the Centres for science Engineering and Technology and the Strategic Research Clusters. The Research Centres Programme is one of Science Foundation Ireland's (SFI) main funding programmes. It replaces the CSETs and SRCs. The Research Centres was introduced in 2012 and the Spokes Programme in 2013. Achievements include: +300 Collaborations with industry; 52 Coordinations of Major EU Research Projects; 19 ERC Awards; +EUR 132m Funding from non-exchequer sources. Science Foundation Ireland announced in 2017 that it will invest EUR 87 million over the next six years in five new world-class SFI Research Centres in Ireland. The new SFI Research Centres will be supported by 80 industry partners who will provide an additional EUR 52 million to support cutting-edge basic and applied research with strong industry engagement, economic and societal impact. The five new SFI Research Centres announced will address the following:Smart manufacturing IT and industrial automation systems, led by Prof Conor McCarthy, University of Limerick;Biological resources as alternative materials to finite fossil resources, led by Prof Kevin O'Connor, UCD;Innovative techniques and processes in Additive Manufacturing, led by Prof Denis Dowling, UCD;Diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of chronic and rare neurological diseases - led by Prof David Henshall, RCSI.Fundamental and translational research for precision pasture-based dairying - led by Professor Donagh Berry, Teagasc.The initiative has the following objectives:To achieve, maintain and enhance research excellence and leadership, as measured through indicators such as publication in top-tier journals and conferences, citations, editorship of top-tier journals, and giving invited lectures at top-tier conferences.To deliver significant economic and societal impact - research excellence with impact - which will be aligned with areas of strategic opportunity for Ireland, including the 14 National Research Priority areas and including the six broad enterprise themes outlined in Innovation 2020.To increase the level of industrial and commercial investment in R&D activities with existing Ireland-based companies, and furthermore to attract large Foreign Direct Investments in corporate R&D laboratories.To spin out new, high-technology start-up companies that have the potential to raise external angel or venture funding.To transfer technology, through licences, to Multinational Companies (MNCs) and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) based in Ireland.To transfer knowledge, expertise and know-how to MNCs and SMEs based in Ireland.
Name of responsible organisation (in English)
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
