The Enterprise Partnership Scheme is a national initiative linking excellent researchers in all disciplines to enterprise; in the context of this call, enterprise partners can range from multinational corporations to SMEs, non-governmental organisations, and, where justified, public sector agencies. The scheme provides researchers with the opportunity to pursue research in collaboration with enterprise while based at an eligible research body.
Through this co-funded programme, postgraduate researchers develop new, advanced knowledge and skills linked with industry and employer needs. The programme trains early-career researchers for the diversity of employment opportunities in industry, the public sector and the non-government sectors. For the enterprise partner, the scheme provides a flexible route to research talent and innovation in an area closely aligned with its strategic interests.
Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland is a new, competitive research and innovation funding agency in Ireland.
The establishment of the agency was a key action of Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy.
Research Ireland was established on 1st August 2024, following an amalgamation of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Irish Research Council (IRC).
Research Ireland is an agency of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science working in collaboration with higher education institutions and other state agencies such as the Higher Education Authority (HEA), IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.
Objectives of Research Ireland
As set out in the Research and Innovation Bill 2025
- Promote the attainment and maintenance of excellence in the standard and quality of research and innovation.
- Support the undertaking of research and innovation in all fields of activity and disciplines by researchers with different levels of knowledge, experience and specialist skills in such fields or disciplines.
- Promote and support the contribution made by research and innovation to economic, social, cultural and environmental development and sustainability in the State.
- Strengthen the engagement of the research and innovation system with:
- the Government, Ministers of the Government and bodies (whether statutory or otherwise) which are funded wholly or partly by public moneys, and
- enterprise, non-governmental organisations, cultural institutions and society generally; to promote and develop the reputation of the State internationally as a location that is favourable for undertaking research and innovation; to advance the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion with regard to opportunities to undertake research and innovation and in the undertaking of that research and innovation.
Key dates
- Call Open 26th February 2025 (12:00 local Irish time)
- FAQ Deadline3rd April 2025 (16:00 local Irish time)
- Applicant Deadline10th April 2025 (16:00 local Irish time)
- Supervisor and Mentor Deadline17th April 2025 (16:00 local Irish time)
- Research Office Endorsement Deadline24th April 2025 (16:00 local Irish time)
- Waiver Deadline1st May 2025 (16:00 local Irish time)
- Outcome of SchemeEnd of June 2025
- Grant Start Date1st September 2025 or 1st March 2026
Information for applicants
The award will support suitably qualified research master’s and doctoral candidates pursuing, or intending to pursue, full-time research in any discipline. The duration of these awards ranges from one to four years and comprise:
- a stipend of €25,000 per annum;
- a contribution to fees, including non-EU fees, up to a maximum of €5,750 per annum; and;
- eligible direct research expenses of €3,250 per annum.
- For advice on designing and completing your application please look through the General Application Feedback file here.
- For information about potential enterprise partners, click here.
Information for enterprise partners
- An enterprise partner can be a company, registered charity, social, cultural or not-for-profit civic organisation, state-owned enterprise or an eligible public body that will co-fund the researcher for the duration of the award.
- The enterprise partner is expected to commit €11,300 annually towards the cost of funding the researcher.
- Funding for this programme will be provided under the De Minimis State aid regulation, more information on State aid can be found in the call document.
- The enterprise partner can be based nationally or internationally.
- Eligible NGOs can request a fee waiver in respect of their contribution for the first year of the award. Waiver approval is subject to the availability of funding, is at the sole discretion of Research Ireland and may be offered on a ranked or limited basis, with priority given to organisations with limited resources.
- If your organisation would like to feature on this page in order to attract researchers, please complete the form here.
Guides and Indicative Forms
- Research Office Guide to the Online System
- Applicants Guide to the Online System
- Supervisors Guide to the Online System
- Enterprise Mentor’s Guide to the Online System
- Enterprise Partnership Scheme (PG) Application Form
- Enterprise Partnership Scheme (PG) Indicative Academic Supervisor Form
- Enterprise Partnership Scheme (PG) Indicative Enterprise Mentor Form
How to apply
Potential applicants should carefully read the 2025 Call Document to ascertain whether or not they are eligible to apply. Indicative versions of the applicant, academic supervisor and enterprise mentor forms will be provided for information purposes only.
Apply Online
Offical Website
All participants must create and submit their forms via the online system here.
