Researchers in Ireland Affected by Covid-19 to get €47m funding

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris,  confirmed today last week that millions of euro in funding support will be distributed to researchers across Ireland who have been affected by Covid-19. A total of €47.7m will be made available to contract researchers and research students as part of a €168m package for further and higher education to deal with Covid-19. The funding will be provided to the higher education institutions by the Higher Education Authority.

“The funding will help to protect both people and projects at a critical moment for Ireland’s national research system as we look towards the next national research and innovation strategy,” Harris said. “Covid-19 has caused major disruption to Irish higher education institutions (HEIs). Basic and applied research – alongside teaching and learning and engagement – have all been impacted. Some research activities have been paused over recent months, where laboratories have been closed, or access to archives, engagement with focus groups etc, have been curtailed.”

The funding is extremely important, as higher education institutes play a pivotal role in world-class research in the research, development and innovation environment.