Irish universities win €14m funding

Two Irish universities have won non-Exchequer funding worth a combined €14 million, money that will support the creation of almost 60 research posts

Trinity College Dublin announced €8 million in non-State funding had been acquired so far this year, about 35 per cent from European industry and 65 per cent from the EU. This is more than double non-Exchequer support achieved last year, the university said.

Separately, NUI Galway announced it was to lead a €6 million European project to examine the ability of stem cells to safely control blood sugar levels and reduce the damage caused by complications of diabetes.

Together these two blocks of funding will led to 59 research positions for PhD students and post doctoral research fellows. In both cases the funding also has a strong industrial component with industrial partner involvement and funding support.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton was on hand for the Trinity announcement, made at a one-day “industry showcase” event organised by its Crann nanotechnology research institute.

Ireland’s future depended on creating employment in strong enterprises built on the back of research, Mr Bruton said. “We need to turn good ideas into good jobs. That is our challenge.”

Crann has about 120 industrial partners and having an international profile for research was a strong ”attractant” for foreign direct investment, said Prof John Boland, director of Crann.

Prof Timothy O’Brien will coordinate the stem cell research project in Galway. He directs the Regenerative Medicine Institute (Remedi) and is a consultant endocrinologist at Galway University Hospital.

The research will include clinical trials dependent on the use of stem cells. The ultimate goal of the research is to counter the diabetic complications that arise due to poor control of blood sugar levels, conditions including kidney and retinal damage, impaired bone repair and would ulceration amongst others.