DCU will receive €2.9 million in funding towards academic research that was hindered by Covid-19.
The money is part of a €47.7 million package distributed to 19 Irish colleges from the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
“We very much welcome this funding from the HEA,” said Dr Sally Smith, Director of Research at DCU.
“Research at universities across the country has been significantly disrupted since March, and this announcement reaffirms the government’s commitment to the sector and the research community in Ireland,” she said.
DCU’s portion of the funding will go towards PhD and post-doctorate researchers, according to DCU spokesperson Thomas Kelley.
UCD received the most money of any college, receiving €8.27 million. Trinity College was next in line at €8.25 million, followed by U College Cork with €7.8 million.
“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,” said Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education in a statement.
“Basic and applied research, alongside teaching and learning and engagement, have all been impacted,” he added. “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 HEA is encouraging schools to prioritise research and researchers who are most in need, like those who are coming to the end of their research contracts before the end of 2020.
HEA CEO Dr Alan Wall is excited to see what research accomplishments will yield from his organisation’s funding.
“Our [higher education institutions] continue to play a pivotal role in world-class research providing access to the best talent, research and technology in a collaborative research, development and innovation environment,” he said.
Devin Sean Martin
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