Research & Technology

Science Foundation Ireland

The Industrial Development (Science Foundation Act 2003) established Science Foundation Ireland to promote, develop and assist in carrying out orientated research in strategic areas of scientific endeavour that concern future development and competitiveness of industry and enterprise in the State.

Science Foundation Ireland was formed under the Industrial Development and Science Foundation Ireland Act 2003. Its board is appointed by the Minister for Jobs Enterprise, and Innovation, to whom it is responsible. SFI assists in academic research, which is likely to generate knowledge and technologies in the fields of science and engineering and, particularly, in the areas of biotechnology, information and communication technology, as well as sustainable energy and energy-efficient technologies.

The board consists of 12 members appointed by the Minister in consultation with other Ministers who may make nominations. The board has a director general, officers and staff. The director general is accountable to Dail committees.

SFI Functions I

The legislation contemplated a number of strategic areas, including information and communications technologies, biotechnology and later, sustainable energy and energy-efficient technology.  It contemplated that regulations would be used to designate areas supporting economic and social objectives, competitiveness and environmentally sustainable development.

SFI may award grants to researchers to develop better methodologies to assess the impact of research funding. The Act allows SFI to promote and support understanding and awareness of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

SFI  may provide funding to an institution based in Northern Ireland, where it is in partnership with an institution based in the State. SFI may, with the consent of the Minster, participate or contribute to funding international research projects which are relevant to strategic areas of opportunities for the State.  Many such projects are undertaken under the auspices of the EU.

SFI Functions II

The statutory functions of Science Foundation Ireland are:

• to promote, develop and assist in the carrying out of oriented basic research in  strategic areas of scientific endeavour that concerns the future development and competitiveness of industry and enterprise in the State;
• ensure a standard of excellence in oriented basic research as measured by peer review on an international basis;
• develop and extend the capacity to carry out oriented basic research in institutions;
• promote the attraction of research teams and individuals with an interest in research that is of world-class standard with a view to their being carried out oriented basic research in the State;
• advise the Minister to allocate, monitor and evaluate grants, schemes and other financial facilities requiring disbursements of funds authorised by the minister of finance or with his agreement;
• carry out functions, concerned oriented basic research in strategic areas of scientific endeavor as may be assigned;
• collaborate and cooperate with other bodies and the promotion and encouragement of oriented basic research.

Strategic areas of scientific endeavour include information and communication technology, biotechnology and other areas concerning economic and social benefit, long-term industrial competitiveness and/or environmentally sustainable development as may be prescribed.

Wider Role

Science Foundation Ireland had an important role in the implementation of the National Development Plan 2007 to 2013 and the Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation 2006 to 2013. Originally a budget of €8 billion was allocated for science research under the National Development Plan and the SSTI.

The original 2003 SFI legislation specified a relatively limited number of strategic areas of scientific endeavour. Due to the evolution of Ireland’s strategic priorities, the 2009 Act provides that no specific areas are to be specified in primary legislation. Instead, regulations are to designate the areas that support economic and social benefit, long-term industrial competitiveness and environmental sustainable development.

The 2009 Act made provision for enabling SFI to promote and support awareness and understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Minister transferred responsibility for the delivery of the Discover Science and Engineering program from Forfas to SFI  on an administrative basis in 2012.

Expanded Functions

The Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Amendment Act 2013 extends the remit of Science Foundation Ireland. The 2013 Act confirms the overall purpose for the exercise of all SFI’s functions is to promote and assist the development of competitiveness of industry, enterprise and employment in the State.  It is empowered to fund applied research in addition to funding more basic research.

It is enabled to fund applied research in addition to its prior remit to fund orientated basic research. Orientated basic research is an internationally recognised category of research that is carried out with the expectation that it will produce a broad base of knowledge likely to form the basis of the solution to recognised or expected current technical problems or possibilities. Applied research is research directed primarily towards a specific practical aim or objective.

The 2013 Act specifies an overall purpose for the exercise of SFI’s function. This is the promotion and assistance of the development and competitiveness of industry, enterprise and employment in the State. “Employment” is included as an additional objective.

SFI may award grants to researchers to develop methodologies to assess the impact of research funding. SFI is enabled to promote and support the awareness and understanding of sciences, technology, engineering and maths.

SFI foundation may provide funding to institutions based in Northern Ireland, where it is in partnership with institutions based in the State.

SFI, with the consent of the Minister, may participate in and contribute funding to international research projects which relate to strategic areas of opportunity for the State.

Grants

The legislation changed the maximum aggregate employment granted may be made available. It provided for amendment of the terms on which  research and development grants may be granted. It provided that the agencies may consult with a range of bodies and vary the maximum research and development grants and percentage contributions allowable.

In the case of small undertakings, as defined, the Minister may pay up to one-third of a research grant prior to the approved cost being incurred, on condition that they are repaid if it is not carried out. Grants above certain levels may be paid only with the consent of the Government. Overall limits were established in respect of payments to a single undertaking, which may only be exceeded with the consent of the Government.

Research Funding

SFI provides grants to researchers and research groups based in higher education institutions on the basis of the competitive cost of proposals and international peer review.

The function of promoting, developing, and assisting in the carrying out of applied research is specified as a function of SFI. This is in addition to its existing functions of promoting, developing, and assisting the carrying out of oriented basic research.

The Minister may prescribe strategic areas of opportunity relating to science and technology to be promoted,  developed and assisted by SFI.  The Minister may specify priority areas on the basis of an assessment of Ireland’s potential in accordance with the recommendations of the Research Prioritisation Steering Group.

Funding Applied Research

The Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Amendment Act 2013 extends the remit of Science Foundation Ireland. It is enabled to fund applied research in addition to its prior remit to fund orientated basic research.

Orientated basic research is an internationally recognised category of research that is carried out with the expectation that it will produce a broad base of knowledge likely to form the basis of the solution to recognised or expected current technical problems or possibilities. Applied research is research directed primarily towards a specific practical aim or objective.

Dissolution of SFI

The 2024 Act provides for the dissolution of Science Foundation Ireland and for the transfer of staff from the dissolved body to the new Agency Taighde Eireann.All assets and records held by the dissolved body shall be the property of the new Agency on the dissolution day.

Any legal proceedings taken against the dissolved body, including claims in respect of loss or injury alleged, shall be continued after the establishment day with the substitution in the claim or proceedings of the new Agency for the dissolved body.

References in enactments or instruments made thereunder to dissolved body Provides that references to the dissolved body in any enactment (other than the Act) or any instrument shall be construed as references to the new Agency.

The Minister may designate in writing the members of the staff of An tÚdarás to be transferred to the Agency. A member of the staff of An tÚdarás so designated shall become and be a member of the staff of the Agency from the effective date.

Unless in accordance with a collective agreement negotiated with any recognised trades union or staff association, a person transferred to the staff of the Agency shall be subject to such terms and conditions of service, including terms and conditions relating to tenure of office or remuneration, as are not less favourable than the terms and conditions of service (including those relating to tenure of office or remuneration) to which the person was subject immediately before the effective date.

In relation to persons transferred to the Agency in accordance with subsection (1), previous service with An tÚdarás shall be reckonable for the purposes of employment legislation. ,

All rights and liabilities relating to the activities as respects research and innovation carried out by the Irish Research Council and arising by virtue of any contract or commitment (expressed or implied) shall on that day stand transferred to the Agency.

Every right and liability transferred to the Agency may, on and after the establishment day, be sued on, recovered or enforced by or against the Agency in its own name, and it shall not be necessary for the Agency, or An tÚdarás, to give notice to the person whose right or liability is transferred by that subsection of such transfer.

Every lease, licence, wayleave or permission granted by An tÚdarás in relation to land or other property vested in the Agency by or under the Act, and in force immediately before the establishment day, shall continue in force as if granted by the Agency.

Every contract, agreement or arrangement relating to the activities as respects research and innovation carried out by the Irish Research Council which is in force immediately before the establishment day, shall continue in force and shall be construed and have effect as if made in the name of the Agency.

Udaras Research Actitivties

Each record held by An tÚdarás immediately before the establishment day relating to the activities as respects research and innovation carried out by the Irish Research Council shall stand transferred to the Agency and shall, on and after that day, be the property of the Agency and be regarded as being held by the Agency.

Consequent upon An tÚdarás ceasing to perform certain functions relating to research and innovation Provides that anything relating to the activities of research and innovation carried out by the Irish Research Council and not completed before the establishment day may be carried on or completed by the Agency.

The Higher Education Authority Act 2022 references are to refer to Taighde Éireann where appropriate, and that Taighde Éireann be inserted as one of the bodies an tÚdarás will consult with on planning for research and innovation.