Deadline: 21-Oct-22
The Science Foundation Ireland has launched the applications for its 2050 Challenge that seeks transformative, forward-looking solutions to Ireland becoming climate neutral and resilient by 2050.
Ireland’s National Climate Objective commits to pursue and achieve no later than 2050, the transition to a climateresilient, biodiversity-rich, environmentally sustainable and climate-neutral economy. While many solutions already exist, there is an urgent need and opportunity for technological innovation to accelerate and navigate this transition to achieve this long-term ambition.
Focus Areas
- As illustrative examples, the National Climate Action Plan and the Climate Change Advisory Council highlight the following areas where there is a need for technological innovation:
- Zero-/low-carbon fuels – scalable and sustainable alternative fuels (e.g., sustainable biofuels, synthetic fuels) for difficult-to-decarbonise areas such as freight transport, aviation and industry processes.
- Hydrogen – solutions associated with the clean generation, storage and safe usage of hydrogen to fully exploit Ireland’s potential advantage to produce and supply this clean fuel.
- Greenhouse gas Removals – nature-based and technology solutions to sustainably capture, store and recycle GHGs from the atmosphere for complete decarbonisation of their society and to limit global temperature rises.
- Low-carbon construction Materials – solutions to reduce the embodied carbon in the materials used in their built environment and to develop novel and sustainable alternatives.
- Energy Storage – solutions to increase penetration of renewables, to enable deployment of electric vehicles and electrify difficult-to-decarbonise sectors such as aviation.
Solutions may be proposed in any sector and must demonstrate the potential for transformative impact in achieving Ireland’s transition to a climate-resilient, biodiversity-rich, environmentally sustainable and climateneutral economy.
Funding Information
- The 2050 Challenge comprises of four phases: Concept, Seed, Grow and Prize Award. Participation in the challenge will involve teams progressing through phases, each supporting further development of the challenge concept and solution, to compete for an overall Prize Award of €1M.
What Are they Looking For?
- Ireland’s National Climate Objective commits to a transition to a climate-resilient, biodiversity-rich, environmentally sustainable and climate-neutral economy by 2050. While many solutions already exist, there is an urgent need and opportunity for technological innovation to accelerate and navigate this transition to achieve this long-term ambition. The 2050 Challenge seeks transformative, forwardlooking solutions to current and future challenges for Ireland in becoming climate neutral and resilient by 2050.
- Examples of potential research areas that could deliver in transformative impact are zero-/low-carbon fuels, hydrogen, greenhouse gas removals, low-carbon construction materials, energy storage, amongst many others.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applications are welcome from teams of academic researchers based at eligible Irish research bodies. Teams are strongly encouraged to consider including researchers from different and diverse disciplines, at all career stages.
- Applications should be submitted by two academic researchers who will act as team lead and co-lead. In addition, it is strongly recommended that applications identify a Societal Impact Champion to act in a non-technical leadership role. Where a Societal Impact Champion is not identified at the time of application, teams successful in their applications will be expected to have the Societal Impact Champion in place soon after their award commences.
- Postdoctoral, early career or established researchers may lead teams in the 2050 Challenge. Teams will consist of a minimum of two academic researchers with complementary skillsets. At the application or during the first phase of the award, teams must also include a third member who will bring specific knowledge or experience of the societal challenge the team will address.
For more information, visit https://www.sfi.ie/funding/funding-calls/2050-challenge/