Minister Unveils €34.5 Million Boost for Innovative Research Projects

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, has announced a significant investment of €34.5 million to support 39 innovative research projects across various institutions. This funding, revealed on November 14, 2025, aims to advance pioneering ideas that address critical challenges in health, technology, and sustainability.

This year’s initiative, part of the Frontiers for the Future Programme, received additional contributions of €2.8 million from prominent organizations, including the Children’s Health Foundation, Breakthrough Cancer Research, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The projects funded this year range from the development of sustainable battery materials to biodegradable medical technologies and enhanced predictive models for neonatal care.

Among the highlighted projects, researchers are working on creating new materials for longer-lasting, more sustainable batteries as alternatives to conventional lithium-ion technology. Another project focuses on a biodegradable 3D-printed stent material that aims to assist in healing spinal fractures related to osteoporosis. Furthermore, computer models are being developed to improve predictions of long-term outcomes for infants affected by birth-related oxygen deprivation.

The funded initiatives span 12 research institutions across Ireland, including:

– Dublin City University (1 project)
– Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (1 project)
– Maynooth University (3 projects)
– Munster Technological University (1 project)
– RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences (3 projects)
– Teagasc (1 project)
– Trinity College Dublin (7 projects)
– Tyndall National Institute (1 project)
– University College Cork (6 projects)
– University College Dublin (9 projects)
– University of Galway (3 projects)
– University of Limerick (3 projects)

In his announcement, Minister Lawless stated, “We are investing in cutting-edge, curiosity-driven research, and empowering individual researchers to progress bold ideas that can lead to groundbreaking discoveries.” He emphasized the importance of building a diverse and inclusive research community that can produce impactful results for society and the economy. Lawless expressed eagerness to witness the advancements stemming from these projects in the coming years.

Dr. Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, commented on the programme’s focus, stating, “Research Ireland’s Frontiers for the Future Programme has, at its core, the exploration of high-risk, high-reward ideas, and the building of collaborative teams that produce excellent research.” He highlighted the collaboration between various organizations and the support for 66 PhD students, 47 postdoctoral researchers, and 13 other research positions that the funding facilitates.

Fionnuala O’Leary, CEO of the Children’s Health Foundation, expressed pride in supporting the programme, noting its potential to transform health outcomes for children. She stated, “None of this can be achieved without the incredible generosity of the Foundation’s supporters who trust us to invest in the next generation of scientific discovery.”

Orla Dolan, CEO of Breakthrough Cancer Research, added, “We are thrilled to partner with Research Ireland to support bold, creative new ideas and researchers to meet the urgent needs of people diagnosed with very challenging cancers.” She underscored the focus on cancers with the lowest survival rates, emphasizing the necessity for smarter and more effective treatments.

With this substantial investment, Ireland is poised to enhance its research landscape, fostering innovation that could lead to significant advancements in health, technology, and environmental sustainability. The collaborative efforts among research institutions and organizations reflect a commitment to addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing society today.