Written answer
Research and Development
Research Ireland funding applications must be submitted by an eligible research body on behalf of a researcher employed by, affiliated with, or studying at that body; no awards are available to unaffiliated individuals. Eligible bodies must meet statutory, organisational and research-capacity criteria, with Research Ireland responsible for assessing eligibility.
4034. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science each instrument under which an individual who is not employed by, or formally affiliated to, an eligible research body may hold a research award and hold primary responsibility for the scientific direction of the funded work (details supplied); the eligibility conditions applying in each case; the number of such awards made since 2015; if no such instrument exists, if he will confirm that position and state the body responsible for deciding whether one will be created; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60657/26]
Comment on this
The processes and provisions around the granting of a research funding award are set out in the Research and Innovation Act 2024. An application for funding can only be submitted to Taighde Éireann- Research Ireland by an Eligible Research Body (ERB) on behalf of a researcher. This ensures the legitimacy of the application, the researcher’s status and confirms that all parties, if successful, will be required and able to comply with Taigdhe Éireann - Research Ireland’s Grant Terms & Conditions.
Section 36 of the Research and Innovation Act 2024 specifies that an organisation is the ‘applicant’ and any individual or individuals can only submit an application for funding where they are either employed by or affiliated with the applicant or are registered as a student or intend to register as a student of the applicant.
A list of organisations recognised as a Taighde Éireann-Research Ireland Eligible Research Body (having applicant status) are listed on the agency website. The policy and list is available at the Eligible Research Bodies information page on the Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland website.
There are two policies which govern recognition as an Eligible Research Body. Core eligibility, which applies to most agency funding programme calls, and strategic eligibility which is limited and only applies to certain programme calls, for example, the Industry RD&I Fellowship Programme and the Discover Programme.
To apply for Core Eligibility to be considered as an eligible research body, an organisation must meet the following criteria:
1. The organisation must be a designated institution of higher education as defined by Section 53 of the Higher Education Authority Act, 2022, and/or in receipt of public funding as approved by my Department.
OR
The organisation must be a public sector research performing organisation which is sponsored directly by a Government department.
2. The organisation must be based in Ireland. Organisations in Northern Ireland may apply if this is expressly stated as being permitted in a specific Research Ireland funding programme call.
3. The organisation must demonstrate solvency.
4. The organisation must warrant that they are able to comply with Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland’s Grant General Terms & Conditions, as specified.
5. The organisation must demonstrate the capacity to process applications and manage grants.
6. Organisations which fall under the definition of Higher Education Institutions must comply with the Athena SWAN accreditation requirements that are current at the time of their application. Organisations that do not hold Athena SWAN accreditation should provide evidence of a Gender Equality Plan.
7. The organisation must have the capacity to support research activities and be able to award post-graduate qualifications or be affiliated with a body which can award such qualifications.
8. The organisation must not be the target of international sanctions.
Some Research Ireland programmes will be open to a broader range of organisations. This will be clearly indicated in the programme call document when it applies. Such programmes may include organisations which are not involved in economic or higher education activities (e.g. public sector, education, public engagement with research).
To qualify for Strategic Eligibility, the following criteria must be met:
1. The organisation must be engaged in research and innovation.
2. The organisation must be based in Ireland. Organisations in Northern Ireland may apply if it is expressly provided as being permitted in a funding programme call.
3. The organisation must demonstrate solvency.
4. The organisation must warrant that they are able to comply with Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland’s Grant Terms & Conditions, as specified.
5. The organisation must demonstrate the capacity to process applications and manage grants.
6. The organisation must not be the target of international sanctions.
Following submission of a completed application to become an ERB, Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland assess whether the organisation meets the criteria as set out in policy. If an application is successful, the organisation will be added to the list of ERBs for a period aligning with the term of the policy. If the organisation fails to meet any of the criteria set out in the policy at any time during that period, Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland reserves the right to re-assess the organisation’s eligibility.
When a grant is awarded, a letter of offer is issued, typically to the President of the ERB, copying the successful researcher, and both parties must sign the grant acceptance certificate, denoting their acceptance of the grant, the associated budget, and confirming they will comply with the Grant Terms & Conditions. This includes specified reporting requirements and the capacity for the agency to cease, suspend, or require repayment of any award of funding, where the terms and conditions attached to the award have not been met to the satisfaction of the agency, which is required by the legislation.