Among the projects are the treatment of certain types of cancer, the development of sustainable food and energy-efficient batteries.
The Government has announced that 341 research projects will be funded through the Research Ireland Government of Ireland postgraduate and postdoctoral programmes, and €36.3m will be invested in young researchers.
The funds will support 244 scholars and 97 fellows across 16 higher education institutions and research organizations.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, who made the announcement, said, “This significant investment of €36.3m in our young researchers reinforces the Government’s commitment to the future of Ireland’s research and innovation system.
“The Irish Government’s plan is an important step in supporting the continued development of this program and strengthening Ireland’s international competitiveness.
Among the awardees of the Irish Government’s postgraduate programme, Ella Shanley from Trinity College Dublin, who will use advanced 3D imaging to reveal how the design of battery electrodes affects charging speed, supporting the design of fast-charging, high-efficiency electric vehicle batteries.
Anthony Mullen, from University of Limerickwho aims to develop safer, more energy-efficient miniature LEDs by replacing toxic cadmium-based nanocrystals with non-toxic and brighter alternatives.
Eavan Pakenham, who works at the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, will create a two-step bone-like substance infused with organic compounds to kill prostate cancer cells and support healthy bone regeneration.
And Mohamed Elkhashab, who appears University College Corkwho will develop a new microneedle system to deliver skin cancer drugs directly to the skin, offering a safe, minimally invasive alternative to surgery and systemic therapy for basal cell carcinoma.
Among the awardees of the postdoctoral fellowship program is Dr. Inés Calvete de la Torre, who owns Teagasc and will work to convert leftover fruit from harvests into a nutritious fermented beverage, using sustainable bioprocessing to cut food waste.
Trinity College Dublin Dr Conor Thornberry who will use a virtual navigation game and advanced brain imaging to reveal how aging affects the brain’s navigation systems and Dr Raju Lipin from the University of Limerick, who will use computational techniques to design cheap, high-efficiency catalysts for producing clean hydrogen.
Welcoming the announcement, Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, said, “At the heart of these programs are the researchers themselves, people with the creativity and determination to create new ideas and knowledge that advances all fields.
“Research Ireland is proud to support their development and provide them with an environment where their talent can flourish. Theirs is curiosity, skill and dedication that will shape their future success. We are excited to see where their efforts lead.”
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