Fifteen researchers early in their professions will progress toward a fully independent research career with the help of €7.9 million in Government funding under a new Science Foundation Ireland Initiative, Conor Lenihan TD, the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, announced at the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin today.
“It is vital that we have in Ireland the mechanism to keep and attract to Ireland highly skilled, early-stage career researchers,” Lenihan said in announcing the first SFI Starting Investigator Research Grant (SIRG) awards.
“These 15 outstanding individuals are among the brightest working in Irish laboratories today, and SIRG provides them with the necessary support to enable the transition from team member to independent and accomplished innovator in their respective fields. It will also allow them to recruit 15 post-graduate students”.
The recipients’ research will focus on strategic areas such as renewable energy, cancer research, genetics and telecommunications that will benefit society and the economy, Lenihan added.
The 15 award recipients are based in the following seven higher-education institutions: Tyndall National Institute, Cork (four awards); Trinity College Dublin (four awards); NUI Galway (three awards); Dublin Institute of Technology (one award); University College Cork (one award); University College Dublin (one award); and Waterford Institute of Technology (one award).
Photo: Conor Lenihan TD, the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation.
