The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 recommended significant reform of the higher education landscape, including the consolidation of the institute of technology sector and the development of technological universities (TUs). The Technological University Transformation Fund (TUTF) is a 3-year fund totalling €90 million from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) to assist and support the development and progression of technological universities.

Responsibility for the design and development of the TUTF, and for its administration and management is delegated to the HEA.

This multi-annual managed fund is allocated based on a consultative iterative process involving engagement with relevant HEIs to assess their individual requirements based on their stage in the TU trajectory, and sectoral level consultation via the TU Research Network (TURN). An important principle of the policy framework for the TUTF is that funding is allocated on the basis of assessed capacity / capability and progress evidenced towards TU designation and in meeting the objectives and ambition for TUs set out in the TURN Report.

The key objectives of the TUTF are to ensure that by 2023:

• Based on current configurations and subject to viable applications, there will be in the region of 5 TUs established in the State.
• These established TUs will be enabled in terms of sustainability and self-sufficiency, with a focus on quality and excellence and capacity building including evidence of:
  • the highest quality of teaching and research
  • increased national and international student numbers
  • a consistently high-quality student experience in terms of facilities, resources and the TU environment
  • retention and recruitment of the highest calibre staff to drive research and teaching agendas
  • competitiveness to attract national and international research funding
  • durable collaborations with industry, employers and other partners