Science Foundation Ireland to invest €28m in research equipment and facilities

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton. Photo: Tom Burke

Michael Cogley Twitter Email

January 12 2016 06:28 AM

The Department of Jobs has announced a new €28m investment through Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) in research equipment and facilities that will benefit some 21 projects.

The research projects benefiting from the investment cover a variety of subjects from geo-sciences to pharmaceutical banking manufacturing.

Projects were awarded investment following a competitive international review of research groups where they were asked to show what they required and why.

The Department says that the new investment will ensure Ireland remains competitive with other nations and help research groups secure future funding from companies and Europe, including Horizon 2020.

Speaking at the announcement minister for jobs, Richard Bruton, said: "By investing in world-class R&D infrastructure, both at a regional and national level, this will ensure that we can compete at the highest levels internationally and continue to turn more good ideas into good jobs”.

Director general at SFI, Prof Mark Ferguson, said: "Science Foundation Ireland is delighted to support and drive Ireland’s science strategy, Innovation 2020, with the addition of key infrastructure to propel important research projects. Ultimately, this is about providing Irish researchers in strategic areas with the tools to be world leading.”