Publication
Research Prioritisation Steering Group Report
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
In order to target investment in areas that link directly to current and likely future economic and societal needs, a steering group was formed to undertake a national research prioritisation exercise. This group was asked to make recommendations for the future orientation of public investment in science, technology and innovation.
It identified 14 priority areas of research that are most likely to give demonstrable economic and societal return, and where Ireland should focus the majority of competitive funding.
Four criteria were used in selecting the 14 priority areas for future, competitively-awarded investment for economic objectives:
1. the area is associated with a large global market or markets in which Irish-based enterprises already compete or can realistically compete;
2. publicly performed R&D in Ireland is required to exploit the area and will complement private sector research and innovation in Ireland;
3. Ireland has built or is building (objectively measured) strengths in research disciplines relevant to the area; and,
4. the area represents an appropriate approach to a recognised national challenge and/or a global challenge to which Ireland should respond.
The Steering Group also identified the need to support platform technologies and infrastructure which underpin the priority areas and acknowledged the critical importance of research for policy and research for knowledge.
This list of 14 areas of application is as follows:
A
Future Networks & Communications
B
Data Analytics Management, Security & Privacy
C
Digital Platforms, Content & Applications
D
Connected Health & Independent Living
E
Medical Devices
F
Diagnostics
G
Therapeutics - synthesis formulation, processing and drug delivery
H
Food for Health
I
Sustainable Food Production and Processing
J
Marine Renewable Energy
K
Smart Grids & Smart Cities
L
Manufacturing Competitiveness
M
Processing Technologies and Novel Materials
N
Innovation in Services and Business Processes
