Minister Lawless Announces €65.8m Fund Targeting Technological Sector and Specialist Colleges
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From: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- Published on: 2 December 2025
- Last updated on: 2 December 2025
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, today following a Cabinet decision, announced targeted investment of €65.8m for the technological sector and publicly funded specialist colleges.
The Targeted Enhancement Fund (TEF), which is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), will see funding of up to €30 million disbursed to the institutions this year for projects commencing in January 2026. Projects will operate over a 36-month period to 31 December 2028.
Minister Lawless said:
“Investment under the Targeted Enhancement Fund continues government support for reform of higher education and builds on the momentum of previous funding streams. The TEF is an additional investment in our national ambition to further strengthen our smart, skilled knowledge economy. This is about ensuring that students can learn, live and work in their region and that our higher education institutions are equipped to drive future growth, inclusion, and competitiveness."
"I am particularly delighted that over the lifetime of this fund, and subject to the required approvals, the TEF will be the mechanism by which our five Technological Universities will take their final step in coming into alignment with previously established universities in having the capacity to appoint Professorial grades; this grade was not open to them in their former IoT status.”
The CEO of the Higher Education Authority Dr Alan Wall said,
“The TEF was designed to be responsive to the diversity of our higher education and research system. The nine institutions eligible for TEF funding are distinct in strategy, location, scale, mission and stage of development, and the projects funded reflect this range. While the outputs and outcomes of projects vary, they importantly coalesce around a number of key priorities for the sector, including student success, digital capability and security, and climate and sustainability."
"The funding allocations announced today will ensure the enhancement of the higher education and research system, accelerating institutions’ performance for the benefit of their students and regions”.
The investment will be used by higher education institutions to advance digital transformation and business intelligence, support student success and engagement, increase professional development opportunities for staff, and support the attainment of Climate Action targets including monitoring of and reporting on Climate Action Roadmaps. Additionally, the fund will be utilised to support collaborative activities including the development of solutions to enhance academic integrity, enhance TU data infrastructure and business intelligence and prepare for further developments in AI.
Notes to Editor
Background to the Targeted Enhancement Fund
The TEF builds on significant investment in landscape reform and development through targeted funding schemes since 2017. Investment has included Landscape Funding, the Technological University Transformation Fund (TUTF), the Technological Sector Advancement Fund (TSAF), the EU-funded National Recovery and Resilience Plan N-TUTORR project, and the TU Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise scheme (TU RISE), which is co-financed by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. The fund was open to Technological Universities (TUs), Institutes of Technology (IoTs), and publicly funded specialist colleges. Eligible institutions are: Atlantic Technological University; Munster Technological University; Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest; South East Technological University; Technological University Dublin; Dundalk Institute of Technology; Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology; Mary Immaculate College; National College of Art and Design.
Higher Education Authority Approved Allocations
Nine applications for funding were made to the TEF from higher education institutions in the technological sector and publicly funded specialist colleges. Two collaborative applications were also proposed.
TEF allocations for projects commencing 1 January 2026 are as follows:
|
TEF Allocations |
|
|
Institution |
Allocation |
|
ATU |
€10,500,000.00 |
|
DkIT |
€4,200,000.00 |
|
IADT |
€5,000,000.00 |
|
MTU |
€6,300,000.00 |
|
SETU |
€12,000,000.00 |
|
TU Dublin |
€10,000,000.00 |
|
TUS |
€6,300,000.00 |
|
MIC |
€1,500,000.00 |
|
NCAD |
€4,500,000.00 |
|
Collaborative Project 1: Enhancing Data Infrastructure |
€4,500,000.00 |
|
Collaborative Project 2: Academic Integrity Project |
€1,000,000.00 |
|
|
€65,800,000.00 |
The fund was open to Technological Universities (TUs), Institutes of Technology (IoTs), and publicly funded specialist colleges who were invited to submit applications on the strategic themes and indicative enhancement activities are summarised in the table below. All proposed activities must align with one or more of the strategic themes and below.
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Strategic themes and cost categories
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Summary of indicative enhancement activities |
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Project management capability
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Activities to enhance HEIs capacity to develop and deliver complex projects of scale – including training, use of software for enhanced data, sharing good practice, engaging specialist staff, etc.
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|
Systems & digital infrastructure
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Enhancement of; Digital systems and services for staff, students, and/or external stakeholders working towards greater integration and real-time data. Preparedness for and embedding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cybersecurity systems and/or training.
|
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Staff development
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Specialist training and professional development for staff (e.g. training in leadership; change management; AI), Initiatives to recognise excellence in teaching and learning. Planning for the implementation of recommendations from OECD review of Technological University on academic career paths, including professorial grades, subject to the necessary approvals.
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Student outcomes and experience
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Initiatives aimed at diversifying methods of engagement to widen student participation and representation, Supporting student progression and retention Supporting skills development, work-integrated learning, in line with regional and national needs Supporting enhanced academic integrity, including strategies to increase student awareness and understanding Innovations in examination and assessment Preparation of students for an AI-enabled future. Integration of education for sustainable development into the curriculum Supporting FE/HE transitions.
|
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Engagement
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Implement systems for enterprise and engagement aligned with national priorities. Support knowledge and skills development for regional needs. Mainstream short-term projects linked to national policies. e.g. HCI; Performance Funding.
|
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Climate and sustainability
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Initiatives to support advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals and National Climate Action targets, including Climate Action Roadmaps. Integration of education for sustainable development into the curriculum via a whole-of-institution approach. Sharing of research and good practice to inform public policy and/or practice to advance the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate (e.g. dissemination to primary and second-level education).
|
|
System coherence and consolidation |
Development and diversification of FE/HE pathways. Advancement of sectoral collaboration and strategic partnerships and activities supporting higher education landscape reform or consolidation.
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Research capacity building (specialist colleges only)
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Initiatives to grow research activity and incentivise staff engagement in research including dedicated research staff and training Enhanced research student and PhD supports, provision for PhD stipends Research collaboration and consortium-building activities. Initiatives to support the dissemination of research to inform public policy and/or further institutions’ engagement with society and impact on their regions (e.g. communities; schools; hospitals). |
Further information on the TEF, including the call for applications and assessment process, can be found in the call documentation on the HEA Website www.hea.ie