UCC STEM researchers awarded over €12.5m in Science Foundation Ireland funding

4 Jan 2023

Advances in 6G Wireless-Photonic Networking, energy for ‘the internet of everything’ and a facility for the rapid development of microbial bioprocesses for the food and bioeconomy sectors are just some of the projects at UCC and the Tyndall National Institute that have been awarded over €12.5m in research funding.

Minister Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, TD, recently announced the projects that are to receive awards from the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Infrastructure Fund, with a total of six researchers from UCC and Tyndall awarded funding.

The awards are granted to projects that will contribute to the advancement of high-quality and high-impact research activities.

UCC President Prof. John O’Halloran warmly welcomed this significant research investment in both Tyndall and UCC.

“This in SFI investment will be critical in underpinning and accelerating our UCC Futures programme which aims to target areas of strategic importance to address the emerging societal needs and global grand challenges facing us all in the years ahead. I congratulate each of our research leaders in securing this competitive research funding and it provides a great boost as we begin 2023,” he said.

Prof. John Cryan, UCC Vice President for Research & Innovation said:

“Investment in infrastructure is crucial for the future of Irish research- these awards bolster our research areas focused on sustainability and pharmaceuticals as well as wireless, semiconductor & photonic technologies. Congratulations to all the successful UCC and Tyndall National Institute awardees.”

Prof. Anita Maguire, who is among the recipients of an award under the programme, said:

“Our team warmly welcomes this award which will enable us to monitor fast reactions using NMR spectroscopy for the first time. This infrastructure will enhance our research capacity within the context of UCC Future Pharmaceuticals and the SSPC.”

Minister Harris said: “I am delighted to announce €53.3 million in funding through my department that will support and encourage transformative research which will have both a national and international impact. The research community on our island has consistently proved itself to be world-class, not least during COVID-19, and continues to undertake cutting-edge, innovative research projects. In order for this community to continue to thrive, it’s essential that they have sustained access to modern infrastructure and equipment.”

Commenting on the investment, Prof. Philip Nolan, Director General, Science Foundation Ireland said: “Encouraging and supporting excellent, ambitious and innovative research projects is the core objective of Science Foundation Ireland. The SFI Research Infrastructure Programme was developed with this in mind; in order for researchers to continue to deliver outstanding research and meet evolving and future challenges, we must ensure that they have the tools required for their research. The 33 infrastructure projects awarded funding are at the cutting edge and are truly helping us to achieve our goal of delivering today and preparing for tomorrow.”

In total, the SFI announced a €53.3 million investment in 33 research infrastructure projects across the country. The successful projects from UCC and Tyndall are: