The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a major funding initiative of €10.5 million for new environmental research. This funding aims to encourage innovative solutions that can influence environmental policy in Ireland.
Researchers are invited to submit proposals in these key areas:
- Understanding climate change
- Creating healthy environments
- Promoting a circular economy
- Conserving natural habitats
- Improving policy and governance
According to Ms. Roni Hawe, the Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment, this initiative is a vital opportunity for researchers. She states, “This investment will foster strong evidence needed for effective policy-making, ensuring informed decisions about our environment.”
Dr. Caroline Wynne, EPA Research Manager, highlighted the chance for researchers to tackle larger projects. “We want to support teams with diverse perspectives,” she said. This approach is crucial to address complex environmental challenges like climate change and resource management.
This year, the EPA is collaborating with Met Éireann to co-fund projects relevant to both organizations. Past efforts have shown that combining expertise can lead to groundbreaking solutions. For example, during a recent project, researchers identified new strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance in water sources.
Statistics from a recent survey show that 70% of the public believes environmental research is critical for sustainable development. Engaging the community will help shape better policies and increase public support for ongoing initiatives.
Proposals are due by May 28, 2026. Additional funding opportunities include Fast-track to Policy Funding and Fulbright-EPA Scholarships, available on the EPA’s Research Funding webpage.
