The Minerals programme supports the GSI's research roadmap by carrying out research on Raw Materials topics within Ireland. Additionally the programme collaborates with several national and international research groups, agencies and organisations. Further information on the GSI's Research is available from the dedicated section of the website.
GSI Short Calls Projects are funded by GSI. They are less than 12 months duration and less than €25,000. They are open to academic and non-academic institutes. Further information on Short Calls in general is available in the Research section of the website. The funded projects related to Minerals are listed below.
Geological Survey Ireland, along with 44 other national and regional Geological Survey Organisations from 32 European countries have joined forces to develop an ERA-NET Co-Fund Action towards 'Establishing the European Geological Surveys Research Area to deliver a Geological Service for Europe' called GeoERA.
The main objective of GeoERA is to contribute to the optimal use and management of the subsurface. GeoERA is funding 15 research projects that aim to support a more integrated and efficient management and more responsible and publicly accepted, exploitation and use of the subsurface.
The projects cover the applied geosciences, addressing the following four themes:
- Geo-energy. Secure, clean and efficient energy are at the heart of the H2020's Societal Challenge 3, as Europe progresses to make its transition to a reliable, sustainable and competitive energy.
- Groundwater. The objective of the groundwater theme is to provide data, information and decision-support tools for the protection, sustainable management and improvement of groundwater resources.
- Raw Materials. Mineral Raw Materials underpin societal development and Europe's ambition for economic growth and well-being. The European Commission recognises the importance of Raw Materials.
- Information Platform. The geo-energy, groundwater and raw materials themes share the common objective to provide and disseminate spatial information on their respective resources.
The Minerals programme is contributing to three projects under the Raw Materials theme: FRAME, Eurolithos and MINDeSEA, described below.