Grad schools for Ireland one step closer

13-10-2006

by Charlie Taylor

Ireland's national research councils have announced funding of more than EUR1.2 million for proposals aimed at establishing Graduate Research Education Programmes.

The initiative brings forward the prospect of dedicated graduate research schools in Ireland.

The two national research councils, the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) and the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Studies (IRCHSS), will provide funding for 22 proposals in all.

The aim of the Graduate Research Education Programmes is to provide a more structured approach to postgraduate study in Ireland by bringing together groupings of expertise focused on high quality research. The programmes will also serve to help the State achieve its goal of doubling the number of postgraduate researchers in Ireland by 2013.

These programmes are intended to help raise the levels of excellence in postgraduate education courses and provide better value for money for the resources invested in PhD training; in line with Government objectives outlined in the national Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation.

The move follows a competitive call for proposals by the Councils, which resulted in 73 applications for exploratory funding from research interests in Higher Education Institutions.

The entire initiative has been put in place following consultation with research sector interests including the Office of the Chief Science Advisor, the HEA, Higher Education Institutions and other funding agencies.

IRCHSS is set to fund five proposals in the humanities and social sciences while IRCSET will fund 15 proposals in the fields of science, engineering and technology -- one of which will be co-funded by the Marine Institute.

Additionally, both of the national research councils will co-fund two proposals across each other's respective disciplines -- one relating to public policy and the other in innovation studies.

"It is vital for Irish research to maintain its strong momentum of development and the establishment of Graduate Research Education Programmes will provide a significant incentive in this regard. If we are to retain and attract the very best research talent in Ireland, then our support infrastructure must be world class. A focus on excellence in research and best practice in research education is a pre-requisite for this," said Professor Jane Grimson, chair of IRCSET.