Funding: IRC 2019 New Foundations Scheme

    Thursday, October 17, 2019 - 11:00

    The New Foundations scheme supports eligible researchers who intend to pursue research, networking and/or dissemination activities within and across the diversity of disciplines. This scheme provides support for research actions, the development of networks and consortia, conference and workshop development, and creative approaches to the communication of scientific concepts and/or complex societal challenges for a lay audience.

    This year’s Call will include four strands (not including sub-strands):

    • Strand 1: Engaging civic society
      • Run in partnership with the Wheel and Dóchas, this strand supports small, discrete collaborative projects between postdoctoral or more experienced researchers (acting as the applicant to the Council) and a community/voluntary organisation or NGO.
    • Strand 2: Knowledge exchange for impact
      • This strand is designed to enhance the international impact of Irish research through knowledge exchange. Applications will propose actions or activities providing exposure for the researcher to world-class networks or facilities that will enhance their research and support the further development of their career and international competitiveness. Proposals should clearly describe the nature of the knowledge exchange and the intended impact. Proposals seeking support solely for conference attendance will not be supported.
    • Strand 3: STEAM – innovations in the communication of science and knowledge (awards up to a maximum of €5,000)
      • The purpose of this strand is to bring science (including social science) and Art/Design/Humanities together to work on new ways of communicating scientific concepts and/or complex societal challenges for a lay audience. Applications under this strand will demonstrate the innovativeness of their proposal and the relevance to the “STEAM” agenda. “STEAM” is a form of interdisciplinarity in research and teaching that seeks to combine knowledge from art and science. The Irish Research Council has published a Statement on ‘‘STEAM’’ Research, which provides background information. Our ‘Statement on ‘STEAM’ Research’ is available here. This strand welcomes STEAM-based approaches to the public communication and dissemination of research. Applications that seek merely to promote the work of particular research centres/institutes will not be accepted.
    • Strand 4: Networking & Collaboration Grants, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Networking & Collaboration Grants for prospective North-South Research Partnerships (awards up to a maximum of €10,000)
      • This strand provides researchers with an opportunity to carry out networking activities or to form consortia. Successful proposals will be funded by DFAT and will be in areas of strategic interest to that organisation.

    This year, the Call will be run on an online system. More information and guidance concerning the system and official Call documents are forthcoming.