Research Ireland Unveils Five-Year Strategy to Boost Innovation

On March 2, 2026, Research Ireland launched its inaugural five-year strategy during an event at the Mansion House in Dublin. Titled Curiosity, Capability, Competitiveness – Charting Ireland’s Research and Innovation Future 2026–2030, the strategy aims to enhance the country’s research and innovation system by focusing on the development of research talent.

Three Pillars of Growth

The strategy is constructed around three key pillars: Talent, Economy, and Society. Under the Talent pillar, Research Ireland has set ambitious targets to deliver 3,500 PhDs and 2,000 postdoctoral fellows. Additionally, the organisation plans to support 1,000 investigator-led grants and collaborate with higher education institutions to ensure that emerging research talent effectively addresses both economic and civic needs.

In the Economy pillar, Research Ireland aims to bolster competitiveness through several initiatives. This includes ongoing support for 14 Research Centres, a target of establishing 50 spin-out companies founded by researchers funded by Research Ireland, and increasing enterprise co-investment. The goal is to achieve 36% of co-funding from multinational corporations (MNCs) and 16% from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

As part of the Society pillar, the strategy outlines an investment of €650 million in multidisciplinary research. This investment will enhance collaboration with enterprises, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), national cultural institutions, and the arts and culture sector, addressing ongoing societal challenges.

A Vision for the Future

Dr. Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, addressed attendees at the launch, stating, “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 added that the focus over the next five years will be on strengthening the talent pipeline, supporting foreign direct investment (FDI), and fostering innovation-driven collaboration. Dr. O’Brien emphasized that the measure of success will be the impact on creating a stronger and more resilient Ireland, positioning its innovation system among the best globally.

In an exclusive interview with TechCentral.ie, Dr. O’Brien elaborated on the organisation’s shift in perception from a funding agency to a development agency. He noted the importance of building an internationally credible research and innovation capability, which goes beyond merely providing funding. “It’s about how we connect all of that together,” he said, highlighting the need to bridge the research and innovation ecosystems.

Dr. O’Brien expressed optimism about the current efforts to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, particularly through initiatives like Science Week and programming on RTÉ. He acknowledged the success in attracting secondary school students to engineering and science disciplines but recognized the challenge of making research careers appealing to graduates considering PhDs.

“The real opportunity is for them to see that there’s not just an academic pathway but a broad array of opportunities, including roles in industry and public policy environments,” he said. He emphasized the need to generate excitement and enthusiasm around pursuing further education, particularly in the context of PhD training.

The launch of this strategy marks a significant step for Research Ireland, aiming to foster a robust research environment that meets the evolving needs of society while driving economic growth. As the country looks towards 2030, the outlined objectives set a clear direction for enhancing Ireland’s global research and innovation standing.