Apply Now: Enterprise Partnership Scheme (Postgraduate) – Ireland

The Enterprise Partnership Scheme is a national initiative linking excellent researchers in all disciplines to enterprise; in the context of this call, enterprise partners can range from multinational corporations to SMEs, non-governmental organisations, and, where justified, public sector agencies. The scheme provides researchers with the opportunity to pursue research in collaboration with enterprise while based at an eligible research body.

Through this co-funded programme, postgraduate researchers develop new, advanced knowledge and skills linked with industry and employer needs. The programme trains early-career researchers for the diversity of employment opportunities in industry, the public sector and the non-government sectors. For the enterprise partner, the scheme provides a flexible route to research talent and innovation in an area closely aligned with its strategic interests.

Funding Information

• These grants will support suitably qualified research master’s and doctoral candidates pursuing, or intending to pursue, full-time research as a full-time registered student in any discipline in an eligible research body.
• The duration of an Enterprise Partnership Scheme (Postgraduate) grant ranges from one to four years depending on the type of degree being pursued and the date of first registration (where relevant).
• The total value of the scholarship will be up to a maximum of €34,000 per annum in any approved year and consist of the following:
  • a stipend of €25,000;
  • a contribution to fees, including non-European Union fees, paid to the host institution, up to a maximum of €5,7504 ;
  • eligible direct research expenses of €3,250 to enable the awardee to carry out the research project.

Eligibility Criteria

• Potential applicants should carefully ascertain whether they are eligible in advance of applying to the programme.
• There is no age limit for applicants to be eligible for this programme type.
• All applicants must be affiliated with an Eligible Research Body. On 25 September 2024, the Taighde Éireann-Research Ireland Board approved an interim Eligible Research Body Policy for the agency. The policy is guided by the Research & Innovation Act 2024, which provides for the establishment and functions of Research Ireland. Although the Act refers to the Eligible Research Body as ‘the applicant’, for the purpose of this call, the applicant will be deemed to be the individual submitting an application on behalf of the Eligible Research Body.
• Please note that Research Ireland cannot accept applications for funding concerning research that is not permitted by law.
• Applications will only be accepted in either the Irish or English language.
• Applicants must not have had two previous unsuccessful applications to the programme. This applies regardless of whether the applicant has changed their host institution or research topic since a previous submission.
• Applicants from any country may hold an Enterprise Partnership Scheme grant.
• Applicants must state during the online application process whether they have submitted, or intend to submit, the same or a similar application to any other Research Ireland, Irish, or international funding programme.

For more information, visit Research Ireland.