In the last ten years, Geological Survey Ireland has invested nearly €17m generating over four times that in total value of the projects, with over €65m of research funding committed through co-funding and leveraging of external funds.
Quantitative and qualitative data was collected from funded researchers, along with information about outputs and outcomes of funded projects and collaborative links. The response rate was 60% (quantitative data) and 56% (qualitative data) with several elements of the programme rated.
Facts & Figures
Between 2015 and 2024, a total of 226 research projects were funded or co-funded by GSI with direct investment from GSI of almost €17million and a total value of over €65million (Fig. 1). The number of projects funded and co-funded per annum varied depending on: (i) the number of calls and (ii) type of GSI calls launched, (iii) funding available for new commitments, and (iv) previously awarded multi-annual commitments. Co-funding programmes include SFI and IRC (now Taighde Éireann), SEAI, EPA, Fulbright Ireland, Geothermica, ERA MIN and research organisations.
Fig. 1 - Total number of projects funded and funding source per year 2015-2024
Regarding the
profile of awardees and team building, the design of the GSI Research Programme funding calls has allowed for broad distribution of grants, funding and projects between professors, lecturers and postdoctoral/other researchers in academia, and awardees in SMEs and consultancies.
In relation to
project outputs and dissemination, researchers reported a range of project outputs, which varied depending on the type of project, duration of the research activities, and often the size of the team (Fig. 2). Respondents reported a high level of activity in relation to project outputs and dissemination activities and also highlighted the level of activity of Irish researchers on the international stage.
The report also assessed the leverage of additional resources and partnerships. For some researchers, GSI funding provided capacity to secure further GSI funding and larger scale projects. In other cases, GSI projects provided the initial data/evidence to apply for non-GSI funds including international programmes.
Fig. 2 - Summary of total project outputs to date for projects included in responses.
Technical teams in GSI were consulted as part of this assessment and have provided feedback on their experience and interaction with the Programme. Examples of high impact outputs from Geological Survey Ireland funded research projects include: understanding the cause of pyrite damage to homes in Donegal to support new regulation: assessing our geothermal energy resources in Dublin and Cork to help develop this emerging, clean energy sector; providing essential seabed information for offshore renewable energy; assessing vulnerabilities in groundwater resources, such as in Roscommon and Galway, and forecasting the impact of climate change on our coastlines to support local authorities and planning.
Technical teams in GSI were consulted as part of this assessment and have provided feedback on their experience and interaction with the Research Programme.
Geological Survey Ireland is perceived as a strong advocate for excellent research and innovative ideas, as well as supporting early career researchers and building geoscience research capacity in Ireland.
The Impact Assessment Report is available online for download here.