Marine Research Funders’ Forum
The Marine Research Funders’ Forum (MRFF) was established in 2018 under the National Marine Research & Innovation Strategy 2017-2021. The Forum brings together state funding organisations with the aim of enhancing coordination in marine related research funding.
The overall objective and terms of reference of the MRFF is to facilitate cooperation and enhanced coordination between the national and regional research funding agencies and key stakeholders to ensure a coherent national approach to marine research. This includes:
- Exchanging information on research funding calls, opportunities and programmes at national and international level.
- Quantifying funding and research spending, and identifying appropriate funding instruments and opportunities for joint calls.
- Examining requirements for capacity building and providing information on relevant policy developments that inform research prioritisation.
- Involvement in the development and implementation of national marine knowledge, research and innovation strategic initiatives.
The Forum meets biannually 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, Trade and Employment
- Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
- 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
- Met Éireann
- 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 the members of the MRFF, the collection and analysis of national marine research investment data commenced in 2018. This is an ongoing process. The National Marine Research Database is an output of this collaborative process.