The Government has announced a €460 million investment to establish seven new research centres under Research Ireland, marking a major expansion of the country’s scientific and innovation infrastructure.
The centres will operate within a new coordinated national network called “Rinn”, a name derived from the Irish word meaning point or headland. The initiative is designed to strengthen collaboration between academia, industry and public institutions while focusing on emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, energy systems, medical devices, advanced therapies, pharmaceuticals, biopharma and quantum computing.
According to Research Ireland, the Rinn network is intended to create a more unified research environment that delivers both domestic and international impact. The centres are expected to support 577 research roles and contribute to the training of more than 800 doctoral students. Seventeen research-performing organisations will take part in the programme, forming a national system aimed at deeper scientific cooperation.
An additional €500 million in external funding is expected to be drawn from industry and partner organisations. More than 200 companies are involved, including over 100 multinational corporations and close to 100 small and medium-sized enterprises, reflecting what officials describe as a strong public-private partnership model.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless said the new centres build on more than a decade of progress in Ireland’s research ecosystem. He said earlier Research Ireland centres had already helped translate scientific work into real-world applications with economic and social benefits, and that the new network would extend that impact by strengthening skills development, enterprise collaboration and regional innovation.
He added that the programme is designed to reinforce Ireland’s ability to attract foreign investment while also supporting domestic industry growth and maintaining competitiveness in global research fields.
Research Ireland chief executive Dr Diarmuid O’Brien said the Rinn centres would operate as a large-scale, multidisciplinary system linking universities, industry partners, government bodies and public sector organisations. He said the model aims to promote collaboration across traditional boundaries and build a more integrated research community.
Dr O’Brien also said each centre would focus on developing highly skilled talent, increasing engagement between researchers and industry, and enhancing Ireland’s international reputation in science and technology. He described the initiative as a step toward creating a research ecosystem with greater scale, connectivity and global relevance.
The Government said the investment forms part of a broader strategy to position Ireland as a leader in advanced research sectors while supporting innovation-driven economic growth over the coming decade.
