€3 million EU funding boost for seven Irish higher education institutions

More than €3 million in grant funding has been won by a select group of higher education institutions in Ireland, with each one receiving a considerable €442,000. The money comes as part of the European Universities Initiative that promotes collaboration between institutions across the European Union.

The European Universities Initiative in detail

The European Universities Initiative is a scheme that was launched (and still mainly funded by) the European Union via the Erasmus+ programme. The idea behind it is to shore up the strategic partnerships between different European universities, not least to make higher education in Europe more competitive on the world stage. Funding has therefore been provided to Irish institutions that can demonstrate their work across seven different alliances.

Encouraging cross-border collaboration between higher education institutions from all corners of the EU lies at the heart of the European Universities Initiative. In turn, these institutions share a long-term strategy to strengthen European identity whilst promoting common European values.

Note: The 2022 Erasmus+ European Universities call is also now open with a deadline for applications of 22nd March 2022. Find out more.

Creating inter-university campuses

Another of the key ambitions of the European Universities Initiative is to facilitate a common European education area for learning. This is where students, researchers and staff can come together and work at any of the partner institutions. Such collaborations may be in person, online or a combination of both.

The funding will also support student exchanges and boost engagement, strengthening the role of Irish partners in these alliances.

Ireland is already a big player when it comes to participating in European Universities. In fact, just under 50% of Irish institutions are involved in alliances of this nature, compared to only 10% of universities in the rest of Europe.

There are around 280 higher education institutions involved in total from across a number of EU member states. Collaboration is strongly focused on themes from sustainable development and climate change mitigation to manufacturing and engineering.

Which universities have received European Universities Initiative funding in 2022?

In Ireland, the following seven universities have each received €442,000 from the Higher Education Authority:

• Dublin City University
• TU Dublin
• Trinity College Dublin
• IADT Dún Laoghaire
• TU of the Shannon
• NUI Galway
• University College Cork

Simon Harris TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, said: “This announcement signals our Government’s commitment to the ambitious vision of innovative, globally competitive and attractive European Education Area and European Research Area, in full synergy with the European Higher Education Area.

“Higher education needs to provide students, staff, and researchers with the skills to find their way in a changing labour market - where a demand for highly skilled people is rising – and to navigate the green and digital transitions. These alliances will assist our institutions in delivering these objectives while promoting gender equality, inclusiveness, and equity.”

Dr Alan Wall, CEO of the HEA, added “The European Universities deepen cooperation between the participant institutions, their students and staff and pool online and physical resources, courses, expertise, data, and infrastructure. Working closer together will leverage their ability to tackle economic and societal challenges.  The participation of Irish higher education institutions in the European Universities alliance demonstrates the strong performance internationally of our higher education system with 50% of our institutions participating in these partnerships”.

Bold, innovative technical and scientific research brings huge economic value

The European Universities Initiative is just one of a broad range of supports available to organisations in Ireland looking to collaborate and innovate. The Irish government has also long recognised the importance of disruptive new scientific and technological breakthroughs, not just for organisations themselves but for the country’s wider economic health. This is why over the last two decades it has unveiled various R&D grants and tax credits that make up part of the larger EU research funding landscape. The trick is in knowing exactly what funding is available and how to get your hands on it.

This is where R&D tax and funding specialists like Myriad Associates are (quite literally) worth their weight in gold. Whatever innovative projects you’ve got in the pipeline, we’ll work with you to ascertain what R&D funding options you’re eligible to apply for. We’ll also only focus on the types of funding you’re most likely to be successful in achieving.

We’re proud of our friendly, bespoke service and ability to help our clients achieve the innovation funding they deserve. So why leave it to chance?

If you have a specific research and development project in mind or simply want to discuss your options, why not call our grant writing team on +353 1 566 2001 or drop us a message.