Marine Research Funders’ Forum
The Marine Research Funders’ Forum was established by the Marine Institute in 2018 to enhance coordination in marine-related research funding and support a coherent national approach to advancing Ireland’s marine research priorities.
The Forum contributed to the development of Ocean Knowledge 2030, Ireland’s Strategy for Marine Research, Knowledge and Innovation 2025-2030. Under the Strategy’s governance framework, the Forum provides strategic direction and coordination for implementation, promotes alignment with relevant policies and programmes, and monitors progress towards the Strategy’s objectives.
The Forum brings together government departments, agencies, research funders and other relevant organisations to:
- facilitate information exchange and coordination across marine research funding programmes, calls and policy developments;
- align funding programmes and instruments with the priorities of Ocean Knowledge 2030;
- identify opportunities for collaboration, joint initiatives and co-funding;
- review implementation progress and identify strategic research, capacity and infrastructure needs; and
- support engagement with the research community, industry, policymakers and other stakeholders.
The Forum meets twice a year, and the Marine Institute provides the Secretariat to the Forum.
Participating Organisations
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Northern Ireland
- Bord Iascaigh Mhara
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
- Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment
- Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
- Enterprise Ireland
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Fáilte Ireland
- Geological Survey Ireland
- Higher Education Authority
- Inland Fisheries Ireland
- InterTradeIreland
- Knowledge Transfer Ireland
- Marine Institute
- Maritime Area Regulatory Authority
- Met Éireann
- National Monuments Service
- National Parks and Wildlife Service of DHLGH
- Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
- Northern & Western Regional Assembly
- Research Ireland
- Southern Regional Assembly
- Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
- Teagasc
- Údarás na Gaeltachta
- Western Development Commission
In collaboration with its members, the Forum supports the collection and analysis of national marine research investment data. The National Marine Research Database is an output of this collaborative process and provides information on Irish participation in marine research projects from 2017 onwards.