Marine Research in Ireland

Marine research is cross-cutting in nature. There are a range of government departments and agencies that have a role in the promotion and funding of marine research in Ireland in relation to themes such as food, energy, transport and biodiversity. Science Foundation Ireland, the Irish Research Council, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Geological Survey of Ireland, etc. have built up considerable expertise within marine research themes and have their own mandate to direct research relevant to policy advice, development of research excellence and sectoral development as appropriate.

In addition, there are a range of agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, the IDA, BIM, SEAI and Údarás na Gaeltachta, involved in enterprise development that also have a significant role to play and are of critical importance to achieving a fully translational research capacity in Ireland.

A range of funding instruments for research exists across the Irish public funding system. These are summarised in the report Ireland's Research and Development Funders published by Science Foundation Ireland.

A New National Marine Research & Innovation Strategy 2017-2021

A new National Marine Research and Innovation Strategy was identified as a key enabling action in Ireland’s Integrated Marine Plan - Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth. This need was echoed in Innovation 2020, the national Research and Innovation Strategy. As part of the preparation of the Strategy, the Marine Institute undertook a detailed review of national and European policies and strategies in relation to the Marine. This process identified the 15 major themes that are considered under the Strategy. This approach was taken to ensure that the strategy is focused on applied and demand-led research, while recognising the importance of a fully functional marine research system that extends from basic research, through applied research, to translational utilisation of research outputs.

Research Database

We attempt to record all marine related projects funded in Ireland through national and international funding schemes.  Details on research projects funded from 2007 to date are provided in the Research Database. Projects are searchable by various queries.

If you have received marine research funding and your project is not listed, please forward the details to the Marine Research Office at mro [at] marine [dot] ie.

New Connections III - Exploring Ireland’s International Marine Research Partnerships

A Directory of Ireland’s International Marine Research Projects 2014-2016.