Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy

Impact 2030 has five pillars, on the impact of:

Three work programmes will guide implementation of the strategy. The strategy document contains the first work programme, which will last three years.

Ireland will continue to take active part in the European Research Area , based on national strengths and policy priorities.

Ireland will drive a strong performance in Horizon Europe . We will utilise our international success and collaboration for greatest impact in Ireland. Using mission-oriented approaches will aid in shared societal challenges.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will publish Ireland's new Smart Specialisation Strategy . It will improve the important connections between national research and innovation policy and regional enterprise policy.

The reports on the ‘Creating Our Future ’ campaign will be published shortly. Impact 2030 will build upon this work to foster public engagement in the research process.

The National Grand Challenges Programme will fund mission-oriented challenges and deliver impacts for society. The first calls to support the green transition and digital transformation will issue during summer 2022.

The department's new Evidence for Policy unit will better link public policymakers and the public research system. New science advice structures will support this.

A new competitive R&I funding agency will be established by way of a landmark research bill. It will bring together the functions and activities of the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland. This new agency will continue to support excellent research within disciplines and build greater interdisciplinary research activity in Ireland.

A comprehensive system-level review of research and innovation impact will be undertaken. The review will inform future policy direction and public investment.

Knowledge Transfer Ireland will launch a new knowledge transfer programme for public research organisations. This time, it will include a particular focus on the new technological universities.

The technological universities will strengthen their research and innovation offices to drive regional impact.

The department will develop a talent programme to support early and mid-career researchers in Ireland to help them advance their careers.

We will identify how to strengthen Ireland's global R&I footprint through a new international education, research and innovation strategy.

The department will establish new structures to support implementation of the strategy.

The Impact 2030 steering group will bring together the Government departments most active in research investment. It will drive agile and cohesive delivery of the strategy.

The Impact 2030 implementation forum will bring together research engaged government departments and agencies to discuss and progress issues of shared interest.