Science Foundation Ireland
Encyclopedia
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) ( (FEÉ)), is the statutory body in the Republic of Ireland
with responsibility for disbursing funds for basic science research with a strategic focus. The agency was established in 2003 under the Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Act 2003 and is run by a board appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
, to whom the agency is responsible.
, information and communications technology (ICT) and sustainable energy and energy-efficient technologies.
Science Foundation Ireland is a key organisation in the implementation of the National Development Plan
(NDP) 2007–2013 and the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) 2006–2013. A sum of €8.2 billion has been allocated for scientific research under the NDP and SSTI of which SFI has responsibility to invest €1.4 billion.
SFI's typical grants range from about one hundred thousand euro per year to about one million euro per year per project.
the Irish Government allocated €1.3B under the 2000–2005 National Development Plan
to be spend on R&D. SFI was responsible for disbursing €650M of these monies in the targeted strategic areas of ICT and Biotechnology during this period.
After an initial call for research proposals in 2000, the first Director General, Dr William Harris, joined SFI in 2001 leading the organization to the establishment of a range of research programmes from Principal Investigator Awards to large research centers, called Centers for Science & Engineering Technology.
In 2006, under the next National Development Plan, under the Strategy for Science, Technology & Innovation (SSTI), the Irish Government
has allotted a further €3.7B to spend on R&D.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
with responsibility for disbursing funds for basic science research with a strategic focus. The agency was established in 2003 under the Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Act 2003 and is run by a board appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ireland)
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is the senior minister at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in the Government of Ireland.The current Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is Richard Bruton, TD...
, to whom the agency is responsible.
Remit
Under its remit, SFI invests in academic researchers and research teams who are most likely to generate new knowledge, leading edge technologies and competitive enterprises in the fields of science and engineering underpinning the areas of biotechnologyBiotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
, information and communications technology (ICT) and sustainable energy and energy-efficient technologies.
Science Foundation Ireland is a key organisation in the implementation of the National Development Plan
National Development Plan
National Development Plan is the title given by the Irish Government to a scheme of organised large-scale expenditure on national infrastructure. The period covered by the seven year plan runs from 2000 to 2006. A second National Development Plan is currently in progress and is due to run until...
(NDP) 2007–2013 and the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) 2006–2013. A sum of €8.2 billion has been allocated for scientific research under the NDP and SSTI of which SFI has responsibility to invest €1.4 billion.
SFI's typical grants range from about one hundred thousand euro per year to about one million euro per year per project.
History
Following a Technology Foresight activity managed by ForfásForfás
Forfás is the national policy advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation in the Republic of Ireland. The agency was established in January 1994 under the and is run by a board appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to whom the agency is...
the Irish Government allocated €1.3B under the 2000–2005 National Development Plan
National Development Plan
National Development Plan is the title given by the Irish Government to a scheme of organised large-scale expenditure on national infrastructure. The period covered by the seven year plan runs from 2000 to 2006. A second National Development Plan is currently in progress and is due to run until...
to be spend on R&D. SFI was responsible for disbursing €650M of these monies in the targeted strategic areas of ICT and Biotechnology during this period.
After an initial call for research proposals in 2000, the first Director General, Dr William Harris, joined SFI in 2001 leading the organization to the establishment of a range of research programmes from Principal Investigator Awards to large research centers, called Centers for Science & Engineering Technology.
In 2006, under the next National Development Plan, under the Strategy for Science, Technology & Innovation (SSTI), the Irish Government
Irish Government
The Government of Ireland is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland.-Members of the Government:Membership of the Government is regulated fundamentally by the Constitution of Ireland. The Government is headed by a prime minister called the Taoiseach...
has allotted a further €3.7B to spend on R&D.
Chairpersons of SFI
| # | Name | Appointed | Retired |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dr Pat Fottrell | 2003 | Incumbent |
Directors General of SFI
| # | Name | Appointed | Retired |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dr William Harris | 2001 | 2006 |
| 2. | Prof Mark Keane | 2006 | 2007 |
| 3. | Prof Frank Gannon | 2007 | 2010 |
See also
- LeroLero (software engineering)Lero , Republic of Ireland, was established in 2005 as a Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Science Engineering and Technology , being one of nine such centres established by the Irish Government in various areas of science and engineering.- Overview :Lero’s first Centre Director was Professor...
, (The Irish Software Engineering Research Centre)