Date released: April 03, 2025
April 3rd 2025: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced research funding of up to €6.6 million for new environmental research. The EPA is inviting proposals from the research community for innovative projects under 29 topics that will contribute to the development and implementation of environmental policies in Ireland.
Announcing the EPA funding call, Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment said:
“The EPA’s continued investment in research underscores its critical role in addressing knowledge gaps and supporting effective policy responses to the challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation. In 2024, we were delighted to see an 80 per cent increase in applications to the EPA research call, highlighting the significant opportunity that researchers see for their work to contribute to environmental and climate policy development, and we hope to see a similarly strong response to our 2025 call.”
Research topics to be funded include:
Dr Darragh O’Neill, EPA Research Manager, said,
“The EPA is inviting proposals across 29 topics to address specific knowledge gaps. To strengthen the connection between research and policy, the EPA will support the successful research teams in working closely with the policy community to deliver impactful research outcomes. We particularly encourage early career researchers to apply and to consider the relevance of their research to the environment, climate and sustainability.”
The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Applications are accepted from across the island of Ireland, including from higher education institutions, research performing organisations, private companies and non-governmental organisations. Under this year’s call, the EPA is delighted to be partnering with Met Éireann, the Office of Public Works and the National Parks and Wildlife Service 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 in Ireland. 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 2025 EPA Research Call are available on the EPA website.
Under last year’s 2024 Research Call the EPA awarded €14.5 million of research funding for 25 research projects. Funding for further projects from this call will be announced later in 2025.
Supporting environmental policies: The EPA Research Call is designed to support the implementation of environmental policies in Ireland including. The call is informed by the current EPA Thematic Research Priorities 2024 – 2026 which describe key research areas and actions, including emerging challenges and knowledge requirements, needed in the context of relevant plans and policies. These plans and policies include the Climate Action Plan; National Climate Adaption Framework; Circular Economy Action Plans and Strategies; National Biodiversity Action Plan; National Radon Strategy; National Land Use Review; UN Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan; as well as policies related to water and air quality, regulation of chemicals and other areas within the remit of the EPA.
Research applications: Research Proposals must be submitted in response to one of the 29 topics specified in the Call Documentation. EPA Research Calls are open to all types of organisations across the island of Ireland, including higher education institutions, research performing organisations, private companies and non-governmental organisations. Applicants must register on the EPA’s online Grant Application and Project Management system.
The call timeframe is as follows:
Further details on how to apply for funding are on the EPA website.
Queries relating to the call should be sent to: research@epa.ie
Further research funding: Other EPA research funding opportunities this year include EPA Fast-track to Policy Funding; Fulbright-EPA Scholarships and Fellowships; the Research Ireland-EPA Postgraduate Scheme; as well as opportunities supported through EPA’s participation in European Partnerships. Details are available on the EPA website.