Ireland and US strengthen research collaboration with new partnership
- Research Ireland and the US National Science Foundation have entered into a five-year partnership to bolster collaborative initiatives.
- The partnership aims to facilitate training and streamline proposal processes for both parties, enhancing research opportunities.
- This relationship strengthens the historical collaboration in research and innovation between Ireland and the US.
On March 13, 2025, in the United States, Research Ireland and the US National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a new five-year bilateral partnership aimed at enhancing collaboration in research, development, and innovation. This collaboration will involve various sectors, including academia and enterprise, promoting knowledge transfer and innovation between the two nations. The partnership follows a series of workshops conducted last October, which involved academics from both US universities and Irish research institutions, laying the groundwork for this formal agreement. The officials emphasized the importance of facilitating research and training activities while ensuring a transparent proposal and review process, alleviating burdens on all stakeholders involved. Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of NSF, expressed delight at formalizing the long-standing research bond and anticipated that this partnership would not only enhance research cooperation but also foster various priority sectors. Dr. Ciarán Seoighe, deputy CEO of Research Ireland, highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating that it cultivates opportunities for coordinated peer reviews, joint conferences, staff exchanges, and larger collaborative investments. Additionally, the announcement coincided with Taoiseach Micheál Martin's official visit to the US to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The collaboration underscores the enduring relationship between Ireland and the US in academia, evident from previous successful joint efforts like the US-Ireland Research program, which awarded €7 million to researchers in both regions last year.