€300 million research plan launched

The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe TD, has launched Cycle 5 of the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI).

PRTLI Cycle 5 will run over five years between 2009 and 2013. 

Minister O’Keeffe envisages that €300 million of public funding will be awarded to successful projects following an international assessment process. 

The investment forms part of the Government’s Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) - the blueprint for developing research and technological innovation in the Irish economy.

Announcing the €300 million investment, Minister O’Keeffe said: ‘The move signals the Government’s determination to continue to prioritise investment in Ireland’s development as a knowledge-intensive economy. 

‘This is crucial to achieving economic recovery and to laying the basis for our future prosperity.

‘The investment under PRTLI Cycle 5 will provide concentrated infrastructure for delivering on the Government’s economic development objectives. 

‘It’s an essential plank in our platform for economic renewal and our commitment to the development of Ireland’s smart economy. 

‘The framework plan launched by the Taoiseach before Christmas identifies our ambition to make Ireland an innovation hub of Europe. 

‘Investment in our basic research and development capacity is crucial to achieving that objective. 

‘The announcement today of PRTLI Cycle 5 will significantly contribute to the Government’s goal of developing the capacity and capability of our higher education institutions to carry out high-quality research in areas of strategic national importance,’ said Minister O’Keeffe.

The Higher Education Authority will now issue a call for proposals to higher education institutions inviting them to develop competitive proposals for this latest round of PRTLI funding. 

‘The aim under this latest cycle of the PRTLI is to build on the factors that have contributed to the success of the programme, supporting concentrated investment in priority research facilities. 

‘The criteria and focus of PRTLI Cycle 5 have been developed in consultation with other Government departments and national research agencies. 

‘This cross-Government approach is instrumental in advancing Ireland’s development as the innovation island,’ said Minister O’Keeffe.

The investment under the PRTLI Cycle 5 will be targeted under four headings:

Capital facilities: an important outcome will be the delivery of new and additional state-of-the-art facilities for researchers. It’s anticipated that accommodation will be provided for over 1,400 researchers in higher education institutions.

National shared facilities: higher education institutions will submit proposals for the development of a number of national shared facilities in areas of strategic national importance. Proposals will be sought in the areas of biomedical and health research; chemistry and pharmaceutical research; marine environmental research; environmental (waste management) research; and cultural heritage. The successful facilities will be selected following the international assessment process. 

Structured PhD programmes: the Government strategy emphasised the need to restructure our PhD programmes to maintain their high international reputation. The restructured programmes will enhance the quality of PhD education, provide students with multi-disciplinary skills and enable PhD students to take up a variety of careers in academia and in the private and public sectors. 

Institutions will be invited to submit applications to support research in new and emerging areas. Examples include areas such as plant/crop bio-sciences, new ways to generate and manage electricity and initiatives that focus on the service industries such as finance/business and IT.

Minister O’Keeffe said: ‘PRTLI Cycle 5 will advance the quality of our research facilities as Ireland seeks to build on its growing international reputation for research excellence. 

‘Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the start of the PRTLI. 

‘The programme has been the cornerstone of the Government’s commitment to building a higher education and research system in Ireland that is capable of competing with the best in the world. 

‘The funding announced under PRTLI Cycle 5 will bring to almost €1.2 billion the total research investment in our higher education institutions under the programme since its introduction in 1998. 

‘This investment has dramatically transformed our research capacity. 

‘The benefits can be seen on campuses all over the country and they are now being felt in the advanced knowledge and skills that will drive future investment and job creation in our economy.  

‘At this time of global economic uncertainty, our commitment to research investment is more essential to our future than ever before,’ said Minister O’Keeffe.  

The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Jimmy Devins TD, also welcomed the continuing investment under the PRTLI.

‘The Government's aim is to develop the skills needed for a modern knowledge-based economy and to strengthen Ireland’s research base.

‘The ability to create and exploit knowledge is an essential feature of an advanced economy and, therefore, Ireland has placed research and development and their commercialisation at the heart of its economic development effort. 

‘This further round of investment under the PRTLI will build on progress already achieved and it’ll put in place new infrastructure and capacity to facilitate investment from other research funders in the public and private sectors.

‘Significant Government investment in recent years under the PRTLI and other programmes such as Science Foundation Ireland has been crucial in developing Ireland’s image as a location for world-class research and innovation,’ said Minister Devins.