SCIENCE FOUNDATION IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2015
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We started to action these findings in 2015 through the redefinition of some elements of our Discover Programme call.
In an effort to bring science into all homes in Ireland we also announced an RTE/Science Foundation Ireland initiative,
the first programme for which will be aired in 2016.
Every element of Smart Futures, our industry role model programme which runs in partnership with Engineers Ireland,
was addressed in 2015. I would like to thank Science Foundation Ireland board member, Mr. Barry O Sullivan, CEO of
Altcloud and Dragons Den judge, for his tremendous support of this programme and his ongoing quest to inspire other
industry CEOs to get involved.
Science Foundation Ireland organised a celebration of Irish Science, attended by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Mr
Damien English, T.D., Minister for Research & Innovation, in government buildings to showcase Irish achievements in
research and innovation. A hugely successful Science Week followed this with an estimated 250,000 people getting
involved in events around the country, organised by our Science Week partners.
2016
Science Foundation Ireland will build on its achievements in 2015 through an expanded range of actions to support
excellent scientific research with the potential for economic and societal impact. Benefiting from consultation with
the research community, industry and other stakeholders throughout Q3/Q4 2015, and the publication of the national
science strategy - Innovation 2020 in December 2015, Science Foundation Ireland will expand its existing programmes
and develop a number of new programmes and initiatives during 2016.
PhD funding programme
A decline in the number of PhD graduates in STEM research has occurred which may lead to a skills deficit in future
years. Science Foundation Ireland will develop a new PhD programme to enhance the quantity and quality of Irish
PhD students during 2016.
Challenge-based funding
There is a growing appetite for competitive funding mechanisms aimed at stimulating solutions-driven collaborations
and engagement with the research, civic and enterprise communities. Having already consulted with some stakeholders
in 2015, Science Foundation Ireland consulted widely on possible local, national and international challenges, both
short and long-term during 2016, with the aim of launching a challenge-based funding programme in 2017.
Broader international engagement
Science Foundation Ireland will continue to collaborate with selected international research funding agencies and/
or government departments in 2016 with the aim of ensuring that Irish researchers have the best possible range
of strategically-relevant co-funding partnerships. Science Foundation Ireland’s policy is to explore international
partnerships that are based on a ‘lead agency’ model as per previous partnerships, whereby either we conduct the
review of proposals as part of an existing programme (e.g. DEL NI) or where the partner agency conducts the review
as part of their programme or suite of programmes (e.g. Royal Society, Wellcome Trust, BBSRC, NSF, NIH).
#ScienceRising - creating a connection with, and pride in science and innovation
Science Foundation Ireland has developed a new communications strategy to create a connection between Irish people,
academia and industry locally and internationally, with science and innovation in Ireland. Through #Science Rising,
we look forward to working with the SFI Research Centres and funded projects to deliver news, events, awards and
CPD during 2016, and also working towards a grand crescendo at our 21st Science Week in November, where we will
celebrate the people and the achievements of science in Ireland.
I thank our parent government Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Minister Bruton and Minister English
for their support, Science Foundation Ireland staff, the Science Foundation Ireland Board, all our supporters and
stakeholders in academia, industry and funding agencies nationally and internationally.
I look forward, as always, to a busy, eventful and very positive 2016 at Science Foundation Ireland.
Prof Mark WJ Ferguson
Director General, Science Foundation Ireland and
Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland