Date released: April 20, 2023
April 20th 2023: Environmental and climate research in Ireland today received a boost with the announcement by the EPA of up to €16 million in funding for new research projects, representing a significant increase over previous years. The EPA is inviting proposals from the research community for innovative research projects to support the development and implementation of environmental policies in Ireland.
Announcing the EPA funding call, Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the Office of Evidence and Assessment said:
“Scientific research and innovation are playing an increasingly important role in informing how governments and society can respond to the challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation. Today’s EPA research call will address knowledge gaps, both current and future, and ultimately will provide robust evidence to support the implementation of effective environmental policies in Ireland.”
Areas of research include exploring how nature-based solutions can benefit the environment and society, advancing climate science in an Irish context, and identifying effective options to adapt to climate change. Cross-cutting areas are also highlighted, such as how data and digitalisation can be utilised for environmental protection and how society can be enabled in its transition to a sustainable future.
Dr Darragh O’Neill, EPA Research Manager, said,
“In this year’s call, we are pleased to include both targeted and open topics to support the research community to address specific evidence needs as well as to explore emerging research areas relevant to environmental policy. With up to €16m available under this call, we look forward to receiving proposals for innovative and impactful projects.”
The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Under this year’s call, the EPA is delighted to be partnering with the Geological Survey Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Met Éireann to co-fund projects in areas of mutual interest.
Notes to Editor
As part of its wide range of functions, the EPA manages a research programme that delivers essential scientific support for environmental policy development, implementation and broader decision making. The EPA has been funding research in Ireland since 1994 and is currently funding more than 200 on-going research projects. Further details about the 2023 EPA Research Call are available on the EPA website.
Supporting environmental policies: The Research Call is designed to support the implementation of environmental policies in Ireland including: the Climate Action Plan; National Climate Adaption Framework; Circular Economy Action Plans and Strategies; the Biodiversity National Action Plan the National Radon Strategy; National Land Use Evidence Review; UN Sustainable Development Goals’ Implementation Plan; as well as policies in the water and air protection areas.
Under its 2022 Research Call, the EPA announced €10.7 million of research funding for 42 research projects.
Research applications: EPA Research Calls are open to all types of organisations within Ireland. To apply for EPA funding, you must be registered on the EPA’s online Grant Application and Project Management system. Research Proposals must be submitted in response to one of the themes or topics included in the Call Descriptions.
Further details about the EPA Research Programme are on the EPA website.
The call timeframe is outlined below:
Call opening: 20th April 2023
Call submission deadline: 1st June 2023(16:00, Irish Standard Time)
November/December 2023: award of new projects
January 2024: Publication of the 2023 awards
Queries relating to the call: research@epa.ie
Further funding: Other EPA funding opportunities this year include the DOROTHY Research Fellowship Programme (currently open, and closing on 21 June 2023), Fulbright-EPA Scholarships and Fellowships; the Irish Research Council-EPA Postgraduate Scheme; as well as opportunities supported through EPA’s participation in European Partnerships. Details are available at EPA Research Funding | Environmental Protection Agency.
