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IRC Scholars Keith Nolan, Daniele Canestrari, Helena Murphy, and Annabel Higgins Hoare. Jason Clarke Photography
Land of Scholars
Tomb raiders, star gazers and weather forecasters are getting €16 million
The future of Irish research is in good hands.
IRELAND’S NEXT GENERATION of researchers has been handed a massive funding boost.
The Minister for Skills, Innovation and Research Damien English yesterday announced €16 million in funding under the 2015 Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Awards from the Irish Research Council.
The researchers involved are investigating such diverse topics as exploring the origins of Zirconium stars, redefining tomb funerary archaeology, modern Irish Sculpture and enhancing weather prediction to tackle climate change.
Whether it is analysing the self-cleansing power of the atmosphere, cyberbullying, green-synthesis of anti-HIV drugs or the development of seaweed wound dressings, “the future of Irish research is as bright as it is diverse’’, said Minister English.
Over 1,200 postgraduate students competed for the funding over four years, with 213 winning awards for the “excellence, novelty and innovation of their projects”.
Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, newly appointed chair of the Irish Research Council said that Ireland’s researchers continue to impress.
“Each year, we are told by the independent international assessors that the calibre of applicants is increasing and we are excited to see what the next intake of scholars will achieve.
“The Government of Ireland Scholarships offer students the potential for diverse careers in enterprise, civic society, government bodies, in academia – in all walks of life”.
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