Deadline: 9 December 2016
The Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is seeking researchers for its Ireland Investigators Programme which supports the development of world-class research capability and human capital in areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) that demonstrably support and underpin enterprise competitiveness and societal development in Ireland.
The Investigators Programme funds outstanding people with innovative ideas and strategic partnerships, recognising that excellence remains a paramount criterion. For this Programme, scientific excellence is both necessary and paramount but is not sufficient in isolation, applications must also be able to clearly articulate the potential for economic and societal impact.
Objectives
The objectives of this program are:
- To support excellent scientific research that has potential economic and societal impact aligned to Innovation 2020 enterprise themes.
- To build capacity, expertise and relationships that will allow researchers based in Ireland to lead consortia and to win further support through various non-Exchequer funding schemes, such as Horizon 2020.
- To support relevant collaborations and partnerships between academia and industry.
- To maintain Ireland’s top-20 position in international bibliometric rankings through an increase in the number and quality of journal publications.
- To allow Ireland-based researchers to win top-tier international prizes (e.g., the Nobel Prize, the European Science Prize, the Lasker Award, etc.).
- To facilitate partnerships with other agencies.
- To support researchers returning to active academic research after a prolonged absence through the Investigator Career Advancement (ICA) component of the call.
Research Areas
- Future Networks and Communications
- Data Analytics, Management, Security and Privacy
- Digital Platforms, Content and Applications
- Connected Health and Independent Living
- Medical Devices
- Diagnostics
- Therapeutics – Synthesis, Formulation, Processing and Drug Delivery
- Food for Health
- Sustainable Food Production and Processing
- Marine Renewable Energy
- Smart Grids and Smart Cities
- Manufacturing Competitiveness
- Processing Technologies and Novel Materials
- Innovation in Services and Business Processes
- Other Research Areas with Significant Potential for Economic and/or Societal Impact
Funding and Duration
The minimum direct costs requested in an Investigators Programme budget will be €400,000 and the maximum will be €2,000,000 for an award of either 4 or 5 years in duration.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria of Research Body:
- The Research Body of the Lead Applicant is the body responsible for the overall financial and administrative co-ordination of research programmes supported by funding from SFI.
Criteria of Applicant and Co-Applicant(s):
- Be at least 5 years post‐PhD.
- Have at least 10 senior‐author publications.
- Have held an independent research grant.
- Demonstrate a record of supervisory experience.
- Be members of the academic staff of an eligible Research Body (permanent or with a contract that covers the period of the grant).
- A contract researcher with a contract that covers the period of the grant, who is recognised by the Research Body as an independent investigator and will have an independent office and research space at the host Research Body for which he/she will be fully responsible for at least the duration of the SFI grant.
- An individual who will be recognised by the Research Body upon receipt of the SFI grant as a member of the academic staff or as a contract researcher as defined above.
- Retired or Emeritus members of academic staff, meeting all other eligibility criteria, are eligible to apply if their institution makes the necessary commitments.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online via SESAME.
Eligible Country: Ireland
For more information, please visit SFI.
