Science Foundation Ireland publishes Annual Plan for 2020
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) today published its Annual Plan for 2020. Key priorities are: a continued focus on individual-led research programmes, challenge-based funding initiatives including programmes to address climate action, international engagement through partnerships with funding agencies, public engagement programmes to drive public interest and participation in STEM, partnerships with enterprise and supporting Ireland’s world class SFI Research Centres.
The plan also includes specific funding of €1.5 million to help ensure that border area businesses have additional support in mitigating the impact of Brexit.
Commenting on Science Foundation Ireland’s 2020 Plan, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, said:
"In an evolving and increasingly competitive global environment, scientific research continues to be crucial to Ireland’s future economy. That’s why it forms a key part of Future Jobs Ireland, the whole-of-Government plan to prepare our businesses and workers for the future. I look forward to seeing SFI implementing its extensive suite of programmes in the coming year, which support both individual researchers and those involved in academia, as well as industry partnerships to underpin our enterprise competitiveness."
Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan TD, said:
"Research and innovation continue to play a key role in our society and our economy, so I am pleased today to welcome the publication of SFI’s plan for 2020. Supporting excellent talent in our STEM sector continues to be a focus for 2020 through the SFI Centres for Research Training, SFI Frontiers for the Future Programme for excellent individual researchers, the challenge-based funding opportunities and the SFI Research Professorship Programme."
Publishing details of the 2020 Plan, Prof Mark Ferguson, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland, said:
"In 2019 Science Foundation Ireland delivered on its planned commitments including the launch of the SFI Frontiers for the Future Programme, the SFI Public Service Fellowship, continued growth of the SFI Research Centres and a number of highly successful engagement programmes throughout Ireland. In the current environment of increased public awareness and concern for issues including climate action and ethical use of data, STEM has a huge role to play. As we prepare to launch SFI’s new strategy 2020-2025 and in our programme for 2020, we seek to address these challenges and continue our commitment to supporting excellent and impactful research to address relevant problems in responsible ways."
Key focus of activities are as follows:
The SFI Science for Society plan for 2020 includes:
As part of its Science for the Economy plan SFI will focus on:
ENDS
Press queries for Science Foundation Ireland: Donna McCabe l Senior Media Executive
Strategy and Transformation Directorate
Science Foundation Ireland For what’s next
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Email: donna.mccabe@sfi.ie
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