Applicants do not need to be permanent members of staff to submit an application but do need to have a contract with the lead organisation at the time of application. Additionally, at the point of award, they will need to confirm that they have a contract for duration of the project. Only salary costs that can be demonstrated as being used for the specific purpose of performing relevant work packages of the proposed project are eligible. For publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) and other Public / State Body Organisations, buy-out of time for salaried staff members is not permitted.

Those on a temporary contract should consult their Organisation’s policy on whether those on temporary contracts are permitted to apply for Research funding as a lead applicant. This should include confirmation that they will have access to the necessary resources, e.g., equipment, office space, research space, etc., to conduct the project, if funded.

No. The project team should reflect the necessary expertise and experience required to successfully deliver the project. It is expected that a co-applicant provides an essential intellectual and/or technical contribution to the proposed research. Co-applicants from a host organisation located on the island or Ireland may or may not receive funding through the Grant.

No. Salary costs or buy-out hours for permanent staff are not eligible costs.

No. Themes are deliberately broad to allow applicants to submit innovative proposals. The Theme provides background and potential areas where applicants may consider developing a proposal. A proposal may address one or more-than-one outcome, or elect to submit a proposal that addresses the Theme in a different way.

A primary objective of EPA Research Programme is to address current and future policy priorities relevant to environment, climate and sustainability. The assessment of novel materials may be relevant in the context of “Chemicals that are Safe and Sustainable by Design”.

Applicants should consider the following guidance from the Technical Description Document: It is expected that, in their proposal, applicants clearly demonstrate the policy relevance of the outputs of their proposed research; the applicability of their findings; and how these outputs address a knowledge gap and can be efficiently transferred/applied to the implementation of policies. Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their proposed research will provide the evidence to support environmental policy in Ireland, in terms of identifying pressures, informing policy and developing solutions.