In its first annual report, the agency says it paid out €313m in research grants.
The Government’s science and innovation agency, Research Ireland, gave out €288m in fresh research awards last year.
The organisation was formally created in August 2024 after Science Foundation Ireland was merged with the Irish Research Council.
In its first annual report under its new persona, Research Ireland reports it managed €610m in committed funding and paid out €313m to researchers in grants.
That investment leveraged a further €310m, which includes €129m from the EU, nearly €77m in private funding, €24m from Enterprise Ireland and €25m from other Government funding sources. Non-Exchequer funding rose to €227.3m, up 14pc since 2024.
According to the 2025 report published today (23 September), the agency gave out nearly €290m in 1,053 new awards across its range of programmes.
Its funding supported more than 3,000 PhDs and 1,000 senior researchers, and nearly 1,500 postdoctoral fellows. 40pc of its funded principal investigators and co-principal investigators are women, along with 51pc of grant holders, it reports.
Collectively, the researchers supported by the agency’s funding delivered nearly 6,000 publications, 167 invention disclosures and launched eight new spin-outs.
Speaking at the annual report’s launch, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, TD said that the report provided an opportunity to reflect on the impact of public investment in research.
“It also comes at a time of continued momentum, with Research Ireland advancing key initiatives including the new RINN network, Global Talent Ireland and working in collaboration with the Higher Education Authority to deliver Inspire, helping to ensure Ireland can deliver and support world-class research and innovation.”
Michael Horgan, the Research Ireland’s chairperson added: “The creation of Research Ireland marked an important step in strengthening Ireland’s research and innovation system.
“Since its establishment, the agency has successfully brought together the strengths and expertise of the organisations that formed Research Ireland, while maintaining a commitment to excellence, transparency and impact.”
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