SCIENCE FOUNDATION IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2015 9
Director General ’ s Statement
Science Foundation Ireland will progress Ireland ’ s society and economy by supporting the best scientific and engineering research while building an awareness of the role , impact and opportunities science creates .
Looking back on the last year , it is clear that through our ongoing focus on excellence and impact , in line with the Government ’ s National Research Priority areas ( NRP ), Science Foundation Ireland is supporting outstanding people . Together , we are fuelling innovative ideas , fostering meaningful collaborations with industry and national and international funders to produce the discoveries and innovations that will provide more jobs , economic growth and societal benefits , such as improved health and a better environment for all .
Building SFI Research Centres of global scale , excellence and relevance ; attracting and training both young researchers and established stars ; making important fundamental discoveries ; spinning out companies ; creating a greater connection for Irish people with science ; and enhancing Ireland ’ s international reputation , were all delivered by Science Foundation Ireland and the research teams we supported in 2015 .
Talent and Skills
The Expert Group for Future Skills Needs ( EGFSN ) estimates that skills shortages are significant in ICT in particular , and are beginning to emerge elsewhere . We recognise and support the premise that appropriately trained , outstanding human capital is one of the most significant impacts of publicly-funded scientific research as it can go some way to supporting this need , creating excellent , fully independent research leaders across the STEM spectrum .
Science Foundation Ireland ’ s programmes , developed in collaboration with HEIs and industry , support early- and mid-career researchers . Programmes funded this year include those administered solely by Science Foundation Ireland , for example , Starting Investigator Research Grant ( SIRG ), Career Development Award ( CDA ), Research Centres and Research Professorships , and those in partnership with international funders ( e . g . The Royal Society and Wellcome Trust ). Interestingly , when competing for UK funding , our researchers compete and win alongside their UK peers , clearly demonstrating the international excellence of Irish researchers .
Currently , over 4,040 highly skilled people work on Science Foundation Ireland-supported research projects in the HEIs , including over 1,300 postgraduate students .
Recognising that the talent pipeline is also dependent on a scientifically and mathematically confident cohort of primary and post primary students , Science Foundation Ireland continued to manage and fund a number of formal and informal education interventions in 2015 . These included our SFI Discover Primary Science and Maths teacher CPD programme , our partnership with the RDS STEM Learning programme and the Project Algebra initiative with Kildare VEC and the NCCA .
Programmes for Researcher Career Development
SFI-HRB-WT ( Sir Henry Wellcome , RCDF and Career Re-entry )
Transitioning to Independence
Royal Society-SFI URF SFI ERC Support - Starting
SFI SIRG
SFI Fully-funded programme Programme to end Dec 2015 Joint-funded programme
SFI-HRB-WT
( Senior Research Fellowship )
Transitioning to Leadership
SFI PIYRA SFI Future Research Leaders Award
SFI ERC Support - Consolidator
NEW
Established Investigators and Leaders
SFI Investigator Programme ( IvP ) SFI ERC Support - Advanced
SFI Research Professorship
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 + Years post-PhD ( approx .)