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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has today (Monday, 13 February) announced the first 26 teams to receive funding under the €65 million National Challenge Fund – a competition to find solutions to major environmental and societal issues.
Funded by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, the teams are seeking to address Ireland’s drive towards climate neutrality by 2050, and the best use of disruptive digital technologies.
Some of the team ideas include:
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
"This is an exciting day for research and innovation in Ireland as a whole.
"We know that there is an urgent need to find solutions to big societal problems and to implement new ideas as quickly as we can.
"Putting research and innovation to work for the benefit of the people of Ireland is at the heart of our strategy, Impact 2030.
"All eight challenges in the National Challenge Fund are designed to find and promote solutions within this decade, and I look forward to seeing the results these teams produce. When encouraged and nurtured, ingenuity from Ireland can and will improve life here, and around the world."
The teams will begin their tasks by working with people directly affected by the problems they are trying to solve, and by learning more about how to build from research ideas to tangible solutions.
Science Foundation Ireland Director General Philip Nolan said:
"Challenge-based funding in Ireland has already reaped rewards and we are working to make sure the best of Irish research benefits the people of this country as quickly as possible.
"I am looking forward to seeing these teams develop and progress their ideas and wish them good luck in doing so.
"For researchers, it’s not too late to get involved in the National Challenge Fund, as we have two more calls opening next week. These are great opportunities for the talent and dedication of the Irish research community to make a real change to the world around them."
Under the 2050 Challenge, addressing Ireland’s climate goals, the projects include ideas on reducing emissions, making greener energy cheaper and more easily available, more efficient energy storage, and mitigating the effects of climate change on communities.
The Future Digital Challenge features diverse ideas on the best uses of machine learning and artificial intelligence including automating industry, managing transport infrastructure, improving medicine production, modelling threats to our health and environment, testing data from wearable devices, and telemedicine, as well as social issues including employment and the quality of our connection with our local environment.
EU Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets, Mairead McGuiness said:
"I am delighted that EU funding, through the National Challenge Fund, is being used to future-proof our economy and society.
"The emphasis on research and innovation will support ongoing work on the green and digital transitions, and so it will help create a more sustainable future. I wish all the teams much success with their research that will bring benefits to the whole of the European Union. We are stronger together."
The National Challenge Fund was established under the government’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), funded by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. The fund is coordinated and administered by Science Foundation Ireland.
Teams will be provided with additional opportunities to grow and scale their activities with opportunities for follow on funding in future phases, ranging from €500,000 to €2 million for the most competitive teams.
The next teams to join the Challenges will be announced in June.
The 2050 Challenge seeks transformative, forward-looking solutions to Ireland becoming climate neutral and resilient by 2050.
Teams (alphabetically by lead researcher):
Dr Muhammad Ali, Trinity College Dublin, co-lead Prof. Laurence Gill, Methane Biofilter – biofiltration of methane generated from on-site wastewater treatment systems.
Dr Subhash Chandra, Trinity College Dublin, co-lead, Dr Liwen Xiao, Trinity College Dublin, Lumiscarb – decarbonising energy systems and the atmosphere by capturing CO2 and converting it into sustainable biofuels using solar energy.
Dr Julie Clarke, Trinity College Dublin, co-lead Dr Paul Nolan, University of Galway - developing a climate risk index for buildings over time to allow for adaptation measures.
Dr Thomas Hooper, University College Dublin, co-lead Dr Ioscani Jimemez de Val, University College Dublin, Fluorocapture – reducing fluorinated gas emission by converting fluorinated gases to chemical building blocks for industry.
Prof. Aonghus McNabola, Trinity College Dublin, co-lead Prof Mary Kelly Quinn, University College Dublin, low-cost fish-friendly micro hydropower energy storage.
Dr Séamus O’Shaughnessy, Trinity College Dublin, co-lead Dr Daniel Trimble, Trinity College Dublin DRIVE – improving thermal management of batteries in electric vehicles.
Dr Andrew Phillips, University College Dublin, co-lead Dr James Carton Dublin City University, RSER – renewable energy storage for mobile applications.
Dr Mary Pryce, Dublin City University, co-lead Dr Robert O’Connor, Dublin City University, H2Glas – developing more sustainable approaches to green hydrogen production.
Dr Charles Stuart, Trinity College Dublin, co-lead Dr Sinead Roden, Trinity College Dublin, mapping the way for decarbonising aviation in Ireland.
The Future Digital Challenge invites transformational societal and economic impact from disruptive digital technologies.
Teams:
Dr Alessio Benavoli, Trinity College Dublin, co-lead Prof. Rocco Lupoi, HLOOP – artificial intelligence for process optimisation in manufacturing.
Dr Oisín Boydell, University College Dublin, co-lead Dr Eoghan Holohan, University College Dublin, AI2Peat – combining artificial and human intelligence for peatland monitoring.
Dr Patrick Collins, University of Galway, co-lead Prof. Ulf Strohmayer, University of Galway, Cathair Shamhlú – reconnecting urban communities
Dr Andrew Daly, University of Galway, Dr Karl Mason, University of Galway, aiPRINT – using computer vision to monitor and improve 3-D printing processes.
Dr Cailbhe Doherty, University College Dublin, co-lead Dr Rob Argent, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Cerberus – acting as a watchdog for consumers of wearable devices for health and fitness.
Dr Ray Griffin, South East Technological University, co-lead Dr PJ White, South East Technological University, PEStech – personalised labour market data for unemployed people and public employment services.
Dr Ibrahim Khalil, University College Dublin, co-lead Dr Anca Delia Jurcut, University College Dublin, HOLOS-IE – digital tool to assess Irish agricultural land use and management to reduce pollution.
Dr Zili Li, University College Cork, co-lead Dr Andrea Visentin, University College Cork, RoadPhone – developing datasets for road pavement quality assessment for maintenance and risk mitigation.
Dr Philip Long, Atlantic Technological University, Dr Maria Chiara Leva, Technological University Dublin, ROBOMATE – a collaborative robotic system for manufacturing tasks.
Prof. Eleni Mangina, University College Dublin, co-lead Dr Abraham Campbell, University College Dublin, STROHAB – using extended reality and artificial intelligence to allow for tele-rehabilitation for stroke patients.
Dr Di Nguyen, University College Dublin, co-lead Dr Vincent Hargaden, University College Dublin, ReApt – improving the accuracy of real-time public transport information to support passengers and those allocating resources in the system.
Prof. Vikram Pakrashi, University College Dublin, co-lead Dr Michelle Carey, University College Dublin, TRaIn – sensors to allow trains in motion to inspect the tracks they run on for signs of degradation.
Dr Anup Poudel, University of Galway, Dr Manus Biggs, University of Galway, ST-MED – using machine learning to for renal denervation as a promising way of reducing the incidence and severity of cardiovascular diseases.
Dr Stephen Redmond, University College Dublin, co-lead Dr David McKeown, University College Dublin, Light Touch Robotics – developing a sense of touch for robotic grippers to enable them to do more tasks in industry.
Dr Bharat Bhushan Tripathi, University of Galway, co-lead Prof. Michael Gilchrist, University College Dublin, Digibrain – using machine learning to develop a model for predicting brain deformation in concussion.
Dr Qian Xiao, Adapt Centre, co-lead Dr Kevin Credit, Maynooth University, LuminLab – a case study of Dublin to examine how urban buildings can be decarbonised.
Dr Nan Zhang, University College Dublin, Prof. Wenxin Wang, University College Dublin, AI-Form – using artificial intelligence to accelerate nanomedicine development.