Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, alongside Minister of State for Research and Innovation, Noel Grealish, has announced funding for multiple international research projects and confirmed Irish participation in two new European research initiatives. The announcements underline Ireland’s continued commitment to strengthening research collaboration and innovation at both European and global levels.
As part of the US-Ireland Research and Development Partnership 2024 Research Call, two projects involving Irish researchers have been awarded funding. One project focuses on developing environmental RNA-based methods to assess fish health, while another explores sustainable approaches to improving reproductive management in honey bees. Together, these awards support research in areas critical to biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and agricultural resilience.
The ministers highlighted the importance of international collaboration in advancing scientific knowledge and strengthening Ireland’s public research ecosystem. The funded projects demonstrate how cross-border and transatlantic partnerships can address complex challenges in agriculture, food systems, and environmental protection while building long-term research capacity.
In addition, a project involving an Irish researcher has received funding through the European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare. This project aims to develop a holistic approach to assessing animal welfare by combining emotional indicators with advanced deep learning technologies, further reinforcing Ireland’s role in cutting-edge research within Europe.
The government has also confirmed financial support to enable Irish researchers to participate in two upcoming European research calls. These calls focus on animal health and welfare, as well as the relationship between food processing, human health, and sustainable food systems. Researchers are being encouraged to engage with these opportunities to expand Ireland’s scientific contribution and collaboration across Europe.
The ministers concluded by emphasizing that Ireland’s active involvement in European and international research initiatives helps build national expertise, attract international funding, and generate evidence to inform policy. This research supports the development and implementation of key national strategies, including Food Vision 2030 and the forthcoming Animal Welfare Strategy for 2026–2030.
