€27.5 million Research Ireland investment in early-career researchers

“Following the establishment of Research Ireland earlier this year, I am delighted to announce this very significant investment in top research talent.

“Ireland has a strong reputation for research and innovation and it is vital that we continue to invest in future research leaders who, together, can play a key role in addressing the many challenges we face and the opportunities open to us.

“The ability to attract and retain excellent researchers within Ireland is key to the success of our knowledge economy for the long-term, and the Government of Ireland programme supports this aim. I wish the many researchers supported under the 2024 programme every success with their projects.”

“Research Ireland is delighted to be making this major investment in new research talent.

“A diverse range of early-career researchers working across a spectrum of disciplines will benefit from this funding, including awardees funded by the programme’s valued partners.

“The 290 awardees have demonstrated through rigorous international assessment the quality of their projects and the capacity to contribute new insights and solutions to technological, scientific, environmental, social and cultural challenges.”

Successful awardees

• Niamh Clarke, of University College Dublin, whose award will investigate the potential of a specific chemical compound to protect brain cells from damage and reduce seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy, the most common form of the condition
• Ronan Farrell, of Technological University of the Shannon, whose project will look at novel manufacturing techniques that will aid the fabrication of antimicrobial surfaces on reusable food packaging
• Stephanie Thompson, of Maynooth University, whose law-based project will conduct a feasibility study on the introduction of a specialised domestic violence court in Ireland
• Ana Oliveira Buckley from University College Cork, whose project will look at the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in the development of individualised speech and language therapy for young children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
• Tadgh Farrell of Trinity College Dublin, whose project, ‘Environments of Conflict’ will study warfare and climate change in late medieval Ireland, from 1300 to 1530
• Dermot Wildes, from RCSI University of Medical and Health Sciences, who will investigate the serious condition of acute kidney injury (AKI) in neonatal intensive care

• Jizhong Meng, of Teagasc, who will investigate innovative bipolar membrane electrodialysis for organic fertiliser production as a means to empower organic farming
• Tom Spalding, of Dublin City University, who will undertake a study of the social history of street furniture in Munster, its heritage and place-making
• Hannah Prendeville from University of Galway, whose project will examine the treatment of ovarian cancer through an immunotherapy-based approach to restoring natural killer (NK) cell responses
• Grace Nolan, of University College Dublin, whose project will assess public perceptions and knowledge of Ireland’s biodiversity

• Environmental Protection Agency Postgraduate Scholarship awardee Gráinne Gibson from the University of Limerick, whose project will study the complexities of climate action in companies by examining the role of research and development (R&D) and digital skill shortages
• the Department of Foreign Affairs Andrew Grene Postgraduate Scholarship in Conflict Resolution awardee Evans Amoako Amoah from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, whose project will examine farmer-herder conflicts in Ghana and investigate linkages between climate change, resource competition and food security in rural communities
• DCEDIY Postgraduate Scholarship in Childhood Disadvantage in Ireland awardee Borui Zheng from Trinity College Dublin, whose project will employ an ecological systems theory approach to acculturation and inclusive education for migrant and refugee children in Ireland

“The Government of Ireland programme is a flagship, highly-competitive scheme, nationally and internationally, that delivers a pipeline of exceptional early-career researchers to Ireland’s research and innovation system.

“The 2024 cohort showcases the impressive range and breadth of projects across the sciences, arts and humanities. The talented early-career researchers have an exceptional opportunity to lead their own research project and develop cutting-edge skills, knowledge and insights.

“In doing so, we boost the foundations for research and innovation in Ireland, for now and the future.

“Whether in industry, the public sector, civil society or our research institutions, our people are our most important resource and the Government of Ireland programme very much aims to develop this resource to its maximum extent.”

Government of Ireland programme 2024 awardees