Minister Unveils €34.5 Million Investment in Groundbreaking Research

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, announced a significant investment of €34.5 million on 14 November 2025 to support 39 innovative research projects across various fields. This funding is part of this year’s Frontiers for the Future Programme, which has garnered contributions from key partners including the Children’s Health Foundation, Breakthrough Cancer Research, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, collectively providing €2.8 million to the initiative.

The funded projects include a range of pioneering ideas aimed at addressing pressing challenges. Notable initiatives involve the development of new materials for sustainable batteries, offering alternatives to current lithium-ion technology. Another project focuses on creating biodegradable 3D-printed stent materials to assist in healing spinal fractures associated with osteoporosis. Additionally, researchers will develop computer models to better predict long-term outcomes for infants affected by birth-related oxygen deprivation.

Among the individual awards, two projects stand out for their innovative approaches. Professor Geraldine Butler from University College Dublin will explore Irish ecosystems to identify novel yeast species that could have applications in food production, biofuels, and biotechnology. Dr. Daniela Bezuidenhout from Maynooth University is investigating safer, cost-effective alternatives to precious metal catalysts for converting ammonia into valuable chemicals for medicine, agriculture, and industry. Additionally, Professor Tomás Ryan from Trinity College Dublin will research how early-life memories are lost, particularly in the context of autism, with the aim of potentially reversing memory loss.

Collaborative Efforts and Commitment

The 39 initiatives will be conducted across 12 research institutions, including Dublin City University, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, Munster Technological University, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Teagasc, Trinity College Dublin, Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Galway, and University of Limerick.

In his announcement, Minister Lawless emphasized the importance of investing in cutting-edge, curiosity-driven research. He stated, “We are empowering individual researchers to progress bold ideas that can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. These awards demonstrate our dedication to building a diverse and inclusive research community that delivers impact for our society and economy. I look forward to seeing the development and outputs of these projects over the coming years.”

Dr. Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, highlighted the programme’s focus on high-risk, high-reward ideas and the collaborative nature of the funded initiatives. He expressed pride in partnering with the Children’s Health Foundation, Breakthrough Cancer Research, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, which collectively support numerous research positions, including 66 PhD students and 47 postdoctoral researchers.

Fionnuala O’Leary, CEO of the Children’s Health Foundation, noted the transformative potential of the research being funded. “We are extremely proud to support the Frontiers for the Future Programme, empowering researchers to pursue innovative ideas that can significantly improve outcomes for sick children. This initiative would not be possible without the incredible generosity of our supporters who trust us to invest in the next generation of scientific discovery.”

Orla Dolan, CEO of Breakthrough Cancer Research, added that the organization focuses its investments on cancers with the lowest survival rates. She expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to support bold, creative new ideas and researchers to meet the urgent needs of people diagnosed with these very challenging cancers.”

The investment in these research projects represents a substantial commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and addressing critical health challenges, with the potential to yield significant benefits for society as a whole.