Ireland has officially surpassed the €1 billion mark in funding secured from the EU’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, according to Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless. This achievement places Ireland ahead of its national target of €1.5 billion (1.6%) of Horizon Europe’s €95.5 billion budget for 2021–2027. Irish organisations have already been awarded €1.02 billion, representing 2.09% of the €49 billion allocated so far, demonstrating that Ireland is tracking ahead of its planned targets under the Impact 2030 strategy.
The funding supports Irish Higher Education Institutions, research organisations, and companies, enabling world-class research, impactful innovation, and transnational collaboration with stakeholders across the EU and beyond. Core and competitive funding from the Higher Education Authority and Research Ireland serve as key enablers of success, helping Irish researchers compete effectively in Horizon Europe.
Irish institutions receive additional support through the Horizon Europe National Support Network, a team of 32 National Contact Points and National Delegates from 10 research and innovation-active agencies in Ireland. This network assists researchers in developing competitive proposals, increasing Ireland’s footprint in European and global research and innovation.
Minister Lawless highlighted the significance of the milestone, noting that it underscores the world-class talent within Ireland’s research and innovation community. He cited examples of ongoing projects, including the development of a bio-based artificial lung to support patients awaiting transplants and research to reduce underwater radiated noise to protect marine life. The minister emphasized that Horizon Europe funding not only drives individual research excellence but also fosters collaboration across Europe, ensuring tangible benefits for society, the economy, and Ireland’s role in Europe’s shared future.
Enterprise Ireland, which leads the Horizon Europe National Support Network, praised the milestone as a reflection of Ireland’s strategic investment in innovation and international partnerships. CEO Jenny Melia noted that the achievement reinforces the ingenuity and capability emerging from Ireland’s small open economy, highlighting how the funding enables innovative companies to scale and compete on a global level while strengthening the nation’s research and innovation ecosystem.
