APC News
INSPIRE Fellowship programme kicks off at APC
APC Microbiome Ireland is proud to welcome its newest research fellows as part of the INSPIRE Fellowship programme
The first new researchers have joined APC Microbiome Ireland, a world leading SFI Research Centre based at University College Cork, as part of the new INSPIRE Fellowship programme which was formally launched in 2022.
The INSPIRE (INnovative Sustainable Development InterdisciPlinary Post-Doctoral Research Excellence) programme sets out to address the major global challenges facing food systems and health through research areas such as anti-microbial resistance (AMR), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), sustainable food systems (SFS), and are aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
An initial group of ten researchers representing eight different nationalities from Spain to Brazil will start in 2023, complimenting and augmenting APC’s existing diverse team and cultures.
INSPIRE is co-funded by the EU Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions programme and has a total budget fund of €2.9 million. A total of 20 prestigious postdoctoral research fellowships will be created at APC throughout the programme, who will be based at APC’s or UCC’s facilities or other affiliated institutions.
Under the programme, INSPRE Fellows can choose their own respective research project, that align with both the SDGs and APC’s 4 strategic research themes, to develop solutions that tackle today’s global food and health issues. It will provide a major boost to researchers’ career progression through industry placement experience, tailored training and support; equipping them with a range of transferable skills that meet the evolving needs of the academic, NGO and industry sectors.
Professor Paul Ross, Director of APC Microbiome Ireland, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome this first group of INSPIRE research fellows to APC and are really excited about the research work they will lead over the next few years, and innovative solutions they will contribute to that tackle the food system and health issues we face globally.”
Professor John Cryan, Vice President for Research & Innovation, said:
“It is great to now see the INSPIRE programme kick off in earnest, and UCC is proud to host the programme at APC Microbiome Ireland, reflecting our reputation as a research-led academic institution. This is a fantastic programme that will help nurture and develop the high calibre international research expertise we need to address the challenges we are facing globally through the development of credible, sustainable, science-based technologies within our UCC Futures: Food, Microbiome & Health initiative.”
