Research Ireland Unveils Ambitious Five-Year Strategy for Innovation

Research Ireland launched its inaugural five-year strategy on March 2, 2026, during an event at the Mansion House in Dublin. The strategy, titled Curiosity, Capability, Competitiveness – Charting Ireland’s Research and Innovation Future 2026–2030, seeks to establish a robust research and innovation system in Ireland, focusing on the development of research talent. This initiative is structured around three key pillars: Talent, Economy, and Society.

Under the Talent pillar, Research Ireland aims to generate a pipeline of researchers by delivering 3,500 PhDs and 2,000 postdoctoral fellows. The organization plans to support 1,000 investigator-led grants and collaborate with higher education institutions and research bodies to facilitate the effective transition of research talent into roles that meet both economic and civic needs.

The Economy pillar emphasizes strengthening Ireland’s competitiveness through ongoing support for 14 Research Centres. The strategy targets the establishment of 50 spin-out companies founded by researchers funded by Research Ireland, alongside increasing enterprise co-investment to achieve 36% co-funding from multinational corporations and 16% from small and medium enterprises.

In alignment with the Society pillar, the strategy allocates €650 million for multidisciplinary research. It also aims to enhance collaboration with enterprises, NGOs, national cultural institutions, and the arts and culture sector to address ongoing societal challenges.

During the launch, Dr. Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, articulated the organization’s vision: “Research Ireland’s new strategy sets out a clear ambition – to support all disciplines towards building an internationally-renowned research and innovation system that delivers real outcomes for people, communities and enterprise.” He emphasized the importance of focusing on strengthening the talent pipeline, supporting foreign direct investment, and fostering greater innovation-driven collaboration.

In an exclusive interview with TechCentral.ie, Dr. O’Brien elaborated on the strategic shift from a funding agency to a development agency. He stated, “For Ireland to succeed from a research innovation perspective, we need to build an internationally credible research and innovation capability. That’s not just about funding research, but it’s about how we connect all of that together.”

Dr. O’Brien highlighted the necessity of bridging the research and innovation ecosystems to leverage value and create impactful outcomes. This developmental process begins at the primary and secondary education levels, where curiosity is nurtured. He expressed optimism regarding current initiatives promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, including efforts during Science Week and programming from RTÉ.

“We have actually done well in attracting our secondary school students into engineering and science disciplines within the university system,” Dr. O’Brien noted. He also acknowledged the challenge of making postgraduate research careers appealing to undergraduates. “The real opportunity there is for them to recognize that there’s not just a pathway into academia. It’s about exploring a broad array of opportunities, including roles in industry and public policy.”

As Research Ireland embarks on this ambitious strategy, the organization aims to create a stronger, more resilient Ireland while establishing an innovation system that ranks among the best globally. With a clear focus on talent, economic competitiveness, and societal impact, the strategy is poised to shape the future of research and innovation in the country over the next five years.