Minister Harris announces funding of €15 million to deliver world-class research equipment for Irish universities

Posted: 15 December, 2023

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today announced funding of €15 million for research equipment across the higher education sector.

The Higher Education Research Equipment Grant (HEREG) will help higher education institutions purchase world-leading research equipment that will serve the research, innovation and development needs of Irish researchers and their enterprise collaborators over the next two years.

Speaking today, Minister Harris said: “The research being carried out in universities across Ireland has a profound impact on individuals, on Irish society, and across the world.

“We ask our researchers to tackle the challenges we are facing across climate change, housing, resilient food systems and so much more, and they are always quick to respond.

“But in order to give them the best chance of success, then we must provide them with best possible tools.

“The funding announced today will help them upgrade what they already have, and also purchase new state-of-the-art equipment.

“It will not only allow universities to improve their current research equipment but, importantly, will also help them to build future research capacity, ensuring that as a nation we will be recognised as a world-leader in Research and Innovation for years to come.”

Ciarán McCaffrey, Head of Capital Programmes in the HEA, added: “We welcome today’s announcement of a Research Equipment Grant for the higher education sector.

“This investment, which is provided through the HEA, is intended to assist Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in purchasing new research equipment as well as research equipment upgrades and will support vital research activity across the sector while also building future capacity in R&D.”

ENDS  

 Notes to the Editor

€15M Higher Education Research Equipment grant 2023/2024