The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has been told that private funding of more than €50 million for the universities is in jeopardy unless the Government eases cutbacks in third-level research.
The warning was delivered yesterday during a private meeting between Mr Ahern and the reclusive Irish-American billionaire, Mr Charles (Chuck) Feeney, who has been the largest private supporter of higher education in the State for over a decade.
Mr Feeney is the principal figure in the Bermuda-based Atlantic Philanthrophies, which has donated more than €700 million to Irish universities.
Atlantic has committed in excess of €50 million to the current Programme for Research in Third-Level (PRTLI) - but the money will only flow when the Exchequer provides matching funds.
To the dismay of the universities, the Government has been unwilling to commit to this because of a freeze on research funding. This has led to a situation where colleges have money for staff, but no extra labs and no new money for specialist equipment.
This week, Mr Feeney and the board of Atlantic Philanthrophies visited the University of Limerick, Trinity College and Dublin City University to examine how allocated funds have been spent.
The level of funds donated by Atlantic outstrips other donations by prominent Irish businessmen to third-level colleges in the State. The company is the biggest single source of Irish funding to universities, aside from the Exchequer.
The €50 million-plus allocated for third-level research by Atlantic forms part of its final phase of support for colleges in the State.
It recently announced it will cease making any grants to higher education, once its current commitments have expired. Under a change of policy agreed by its board, the company will focus on other programmes, including projects for disadvantaged children and human rights. Funding for projects in these areas in the Republic and in Northern Ireland will be made available. The company is also supporting public health programmes in South Africa and Vietnam.
Mr Feeney, who made his fortune through duty-free shops, is very publicity-shy. He is famously not a member of the "if you have it, flaunt it" club, and maintains a modest lifestyle.
Questioned about his support for good causes some years ago, Mr Feeney said "I simply decided I had enough money".