Overview of IRC activities and the New Foundations programme 2015 Peter Brown, Assistant Director, IRC

The Irish Research Council supports excellent research & recognises creative individuals with innovative ideas, thus enabling a vibrant research community that enriches Irish research, the economy & society.

All disciplines: Arts to Zoology Enabling the development of individuals: cultivating independent researchers Developing people & skills for diverse career opportunities, as well as developing research Developing expertise in HE: cultural, economic & societal Partnering civic society, government and enterprise

Values

Government Civic Society Enterprise Partnership Domains

Policy context

Postgraduate Research ScholarshipsPostdoctoral Fellowships Employer facing schemes (incl. Enterprise Partnership Scheme & Employment Based Scheme) NEW HORIZONS - Project Grants (HSS and interdisciplinary - IDR)RESEARCH FOR POLICY AND SOCIETYNew Foundations (incl. Civic Society Strand)Networking/Knowledge Exchange – e.g. Ulysses IRC Funding Schemes

Postdoctoral Academics & Principal Investigators GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP SCHEME EMPLOYMENT BASED PROGRAMME NEW FOUNDATIONS, KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & TRAVEL AWARDS HUMANITIES IN THE EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA LINDAU MEETING AWARDS COFUND MOBILITY FELLOWSHIPS ULYSSES NASA I 2 NEW HORIZONS RESEARCH FOR POLICY & SOCIETY SUPPORT FOR ERC GRANTS RESEARCH PROJECT GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Postgraduate

Horizon2020 Societal Challenges Health & Well BeingFood SecuritySustainable EnergyGreen, integrated mobilityClimate & EnvironmentInclusive, innovative and reflective societiesSecure societies Civil Society groups and NGOs?

“Collaborative Research Fellowships for a Responsive & Innovative Europe” Proposes research collaborations between researchers, academic institutions and NGOs/IGOs at home and abroad Proposals will be invited across all disciplines that fit with the overarching theme of global sustainable development; strong network of support Proposes 30 International Fellowships and 20 Irish Fellowships Outcome will be known in Spring 2016 CAROLINE Marie Curie COFUND application

“Collaborative Research Fellowships for a Responsive & Innovative Europe” Proposes research collaborations between researchers, academic institutions and NGOs/IGOs at home and abroad Proposals will be invited across all disciplines that fit with the overarching theme of global sustainable development; strong network of support Proposes 30 International Fellowships and 20 Irish Fellowships Outcome will be known in Spring 2016 Origins of

Supports eligible researchers who intend to pursue research, networking and/or dissemination activities within and across the diversity of disciplines. Provides support for research actions, the development of networks, conference activities, creation of workshops and/or more general dissemination activities designed to communicate the outcomes and values of academic research in Ireland and beyond. Aims of IRC New Foundations Programme

The 2014 New Foundations scheme awarded funding to 141 projects across three strands for a total of €912k Strand One – Engaging Civic Society Strand Two – Marking the Decade of Centenaries Strand Three – Enhancing Knowledge Exchange Aims of IRC New Foundations Programme

The 2014 New Foundations scheme awarded funding to 141 projects across three strands for a total of €912k Strand One – Engaging Civic Society Strand Two – Marking the Decade of Centenaries Strand Three – Enhancing Knowledge Exchange Aims of IRC New Foundations Programme

Engaging Civic Society Strand Under a Strategic Partnership with The Wheel

A structured mechanism to foster and promote effective engagement and transfer of knowledge and understanding The partnership will encourage higher education researchers to disseminate their work and exchange knowledge beyond academia, to ensure that research is available to inform the community and voluntary sector and to inform policy for civic society. Aims to support the development of research questions so to better understand and shape our society. Aims of the Partnership

The objectives of the strand are to: Develop networks between academia and societal groups in the community and voluntary sector Encourage knowledge exchange between these groups Develop expertise to support civic society within the higher education community Develop capacity and routes for engagement with civic society on a longer term basis NF Engaging Civic Society strand

Maximum 9-month project timeline Up to €10k funding per application c.70 applications from academic researchers partnering with comm/vol. groups c.40 applications funded, €400k investment Each funded project will report on outcomes, the information will feed into the future development of the programme Will be asking each project to contribute a piece for a joint publication (2016) on the strand NF Engaging Civic Society strand

Civic society theme will be further developed, bringing in European and global dimension Strand One - Engaging Irish-based NGOs involved in International Development, in partnership with Dochás Strand Two - Building engagement of civic society groups in Horizon 2020 Societal challenges Strand Three - Enhancing Knowledge Exchange, including Marking the National Decade of Centenaries Up to €10k funding per successful application New Foundations 2015