Networking & Marine Research Communication Awards 2026 (Ireland)

The Networking & Marine Research Communication Awards provide funding to support marine research communication, international collaboration, networking activities, conferences, workshops, researcher training, and media production. The programme is open to eligible organizations and researchers based in the island of Ireland and supports projects aligned with national and international marine strategies, including Ocean Knowledge 2030 and the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030.

Funding is available across three categories, with grants ranging from €400 to €4,000 depending on the activity type.

Overview of the Networking & Marine Research Communication Awards

The Networking & Marine Research Communication Awards support initiatives that strengthen marine research cooperation, knowledge exchange, and international partnerships.

The programme is designed to help researchers and organizations:

• Build international research networks
• Develop marine research collaborations
• Share scientific knowledge
• Participate in conferences and training programmes
• Communicate marine research findings to wider audiences

The awards contribute to improving marine science cooperation and supporting the development of international research consortia.

Programme Objectives

The main goal of the awards is to improve communication, collaboration, and dissemination within the marine research sector.

The programme supports activities that:

• Promote international marine research cooperation
• Encourage participation in scientific events
• Support knowledge exchange among researchers
• Increase visibility of marine research outcomes
• Strengthen links between researchers, institutions, industry, and communities
• Support marine policy objectives

Alignment With Marine Strategies

The programme supports major marine research priorities, including:

Ocean Knowledge 2030

The initiative contributes to strengthening marine knowledge, research capacity, and collaboration.

EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030

The awards support research communication and cooperation linked to ocean restoration, sustainability, and marine ecosystem protection.

Funding Categories

The awards provide funding under three main categories:

1. Conference and Workshop Hosting Awards

This category supports organizations hosting marine research conferences, workshops, and networking events in Ireland.

Funding Amount

• Minimum funding: €2,000
• Maximum funding: €4,000

Supported Costs

Eligible expenses may include:

• Travel costs for keynote speakers
• Accommodation expenses
• Venue hire
• Event-related costs

Important Requirement

The Marine Institute does not provide full funding for hosting events.

Applicants must demonstrate their own financial contribution toward the event.

2. Researcher Awards for Event Attendance and Training

This category supports researchers attending international conferences, workshops, and training activities.

Funding Amount

• Minimum funding: €400
• Maximum funding: €2,000

Funding depends on:

• Destination location
• Type of event
• Purpose of participation

Supported Activities

Funding may support:

• Conference participation
• Research networking events
• Training courses
• Professional development activities

3. Marine Research Communication Awards

This category supports activities that communicate marine research findings to scientific and public audiences.

Funding Amount

• Minimum funding: €500
• Maximum funding: €3,000

Supported Activities

Eligible activities include:

• Open access research publications
• Scientific communication materials
• Media production
• Research dissemination projects

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include legal entities based on the island of Ireland with relevant scientific or technical expertise.

Eligible organizations include:

• Higher education institutions
• Research institutes
• Small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

Individual researchers may also apply through their affiliated organizations.

Eligible researchers may include:

• Postgraduate students
• Research assistants
• Early-stage postdoctoral researchers

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following conditions:

• Be legally established on the island of Ireland
• Have relevant marine research or technical expertise
• Submit applications through an eligible organization
• Apply at least one month before the planned event
• Ensure funding requirements are followed

Application Restrictions

The programme includes limits on applications and awards:

• Individual applicants cannot receive more than two awards per calendar year
• Organizations can submit a maximum of three applications per event
• Payments are made directly to the applicant organization

Eligible Costs

Funding may cover specific expenses related to approved activities.

Eligible costs include:

Event and Networking Costs

• Venue hire
• Registration fees
• Travel expenses
• Accommodation for speakers or participants

Training Costs

• Course participation fees
• Training programme expenses

Communication Costs

• Open access publication charges
• Media production expenses
• Research communication materials

Only approved costs incurred after the award approval date are eligible for reimbursement.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit applications through the Research Information Management System (RIMS).

Step 1: Select the Appropriate Award Category

Applicants should identify whether their activity relates to:

• Hosting conferences or workshops
• Researcher attendance and training
• Marine research communication

Step 2: Prepare Application Information

Applicants should provide:

• Details of the proposed activity
• Objectives and expected outcomes
• Explanation of collaboration benefits
• Budget breakdown
• Justification of costs

Step 3: Demonstrate Research Impact

Applications should explain:

• How the activity supports marine research goals
• How it contributes to national or international priorities
• How knowledge will be shared with relevant audiences

Step 4: Submit Through RIMS

Applications must be submitted through the official Research Information Management System.

Incomplete applications or incorrectly submitted applications will not be considered.

Assessment Criteria

Applications are externally assessed using four equally weighted criteria.

1. Benefit to the Recipient or Host Institution

Reviewers assess how the activity benefits:

• Researchers
• Institutions
• Research networks
• Knowledge development

2. Contribution to Policy Objectives

Applications are evaluated based on alignment with:

• National marine strategies
• International marine priorities
• Ocean sustainability goals

3. Collaboration and Dissemination

Assessors consider:

• Strength of research collaboration
• Knowledge-sharing opportunities
• Communication plans

4. Value for Money

Applications must demonstrate:

• Reasonable costs
• Effective use of funding
• Clear financial justification

Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants must complete reporting requirements after receiving funding.

Applicants must:

• Submit a final report
• Provide relevant receipts and documentation
• Complete reporting within one month after the event
• Acknowledge Marine Institute funding in all outputs

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying less than one month before the event
• Submitting incomplete applications
• Requesting unsupported expenses
• Failing to explain research impact
• Not demonstrating their own contribution for hosted events
• Forgetting to acknowledge funding support

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve the chances of success:

• Clearly explain the scientific importance of the activity
• Connect the proposal with marine policy priorities
• Provide a realistic and detailed budget
• Highlight international collaboration opportunities
• Explain how results will be communicated
• Demonstrate long-term networking benefits

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the Networking & Marine Research Communication Awards?

These awards provide funding for marine research communication, networking, conferences, workshops, training activities, and dissemination projects.

Who can apply for these awards?

Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, SMEs, NGOs, and other legal entities based on the island of Ireland with relevant scientific expertise.

Can individual researchers apply directly?

Individual researchers cannot apply independently. They must apply through their eligible organization.

How much funding is available?

Funding ranges from €400 to €4,000 depending on the award category and activity type.

What activities are supported?

Supported activities include conferences, workshops, researcher travel, training programmes, open access publications, and marine research communication projects.

When should applications be submitted?

Applications must be submitted at least one month before the planned event or activity.

Are all project costs eligible?

No. Only approved costs incurred after the award approval date are eligible for reimbursement.

Conclusion

The Networking & Marine Research Communication Awards provide valuable support for strengthening marine research networks, improving scientific communication, and encouraging international collaboration.

By funding conferences, training, researcher mobility, and knowledge-sharing activities, the programme helps advance marine research cooperation and supports broader ocean sustainability goals in Ireland and internationally.