Twenty-three colleges have won grants worth £252 million (€320 million) for scientific and humanities research. The awards are provided under a Government programme which since 1999 has distributed research funding worth £470 million (€605 million).
This represents the largest single research investment, the Minister for Education and Science, Dr Woods, said yesterday. It comes under "cycle 3" of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, a scheme which requires institutes to prepare plans for developing their research expertise. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) administers the programme.
The largest single initiative is a unique collaboration involving TCD, UCD and the Royal College of Surgeons, which together will establish a programme for human genomics. Funding for this project was £35 million (€44.8 million).
The ongoing development of the Conway Institute at UCD also received a grant of £27 million (€34.5 million); €34.3 million, goes towards the establishment of an institute of cellular biotechnology at Dublin City University.
"The impact of the Government's investment for researchers, developers and the institutions themselves throughout the whole research area will be enormous," the Minister said. "It will demonstrate clearly, at home and abroad, our determination and that of the higher education institutions to establish world-class research and development capability in this country in line with the National Development Plan."
The funding will support posts for up to 700 additional researchers, including more than 60 academic appointments, the chairman of the HEA, Dr Don Thornhill, said. Investment of this kind was "crucial" for continued economic growth and social progress. "The pay off does not happen immediately. It is vital that we continue to invest even when economic conditions are less favourable."
Of the total funding, £112 million (€142.2 million) is earmarked to support research personnel and £140 million (€178 million) for buildings and equipment. Private donors are providing £46 million (€58.4 million) of the total.
