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The Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock, TD, today formally launched the new Irish Research Council – a merger of the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS) and the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET).

Speaking at the launch of the Research Council, the Minister said: “Research and development is at the heart of this Government’s enterprise policy. The Irish Research Council will encourage innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, and will support young researchers that will be future leaders in their fields. It will play a vital role in driving future job creation across economic, cultural and social spheres.”

The Minister added: “The previous research councils have made a very important contribution to the development of Ireland’s research capabilities over the last decade. I look forward to the new Council building on this work, maximising the potential of inter-disciplinary research, enhancing collaboration with enterprise and providing a strong voice for the promotion and support of emerging researchers in Ireland.”

Minister Sherlock also used the occasion to announce the launch of the Research Council’s new Industry-based Postgraduate Programme. Under this Programme, students will undertake their research in close collaboration with an enterprise partner, and will be based in the company.

Also speaking at the launch, the Chair of the Irish Research Council, Dr David Lloyd said “I am delighted to take on this role as the inaugural Chair of the new Irish Research Council. I believe that through funding the best and brightest researchers in Ireland across the breadth of disciplines in our remit, the Council will demonstrate how creativity, excellence, curiosity, relevance and impact can go hand in hand for Ireland’s benefit. With the support of our executive we will work to enhance the provision of highly skilled human capital across all areas of research in Ireland.”