Irish Research Council Takes Several Initiatives to Support Research

Irish government announces €5 million in funding to support 26 projects under the COVID-19 rapid response research and innovation program.

Irish government announces €5 million in funding to support 26 projects under the COVID-19 rapid response research and innovation program. This initiative is being coordinated by Rapid Response Research, Development and Innovation programme established by the Health Research Board (HRB), Irish Research Council (IRC), Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland (EI).

The 26 projects will address key areas such as front-line healthcare, diagnostics, infection control, contact tracing, mental health, potential treatments, and management of the mitigation measures related to social distancing and isolation to prevent the spread and treat the COVID-19 disease.

The Irish Research Council also launched its new strategic plan that lays out the Council’s ambitious vision for the next five years starting from 2020 – 2024. This plan seeks to consolidate the unique role of the IRC in supporting all disciplines within the Irish research funding landscape by funding excellent research, support the education and skills development of excellent individual early-stage researchers, enrich the pool of knowledge and expertise available for addressing Ireland’s current and future needs and provide policy advice on higher education and research matters. IRC through its strategic plan aims to maximise its contribution to national progress and ambitions over the coming years.

– from Editor’s Desk

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