Information, Communications & Emergent Technologies (ICET)
Bold research in numerous disciplines continues to transform the potential of information and communications technologies. Fields that have already contributed to ICT’s evolution include the fundamental sciences, the engineering of complex systems and software, low-cost manufacturing technologies, and end-user applications.
It is clear, though, that fields only now emerging will also soon begin shaping the ICT of the future. SFI believes, in fact, that the advancement of ICT will depend upon researchers able to push the bounds of knowledge, including bridging traditional disciplines.
SFI has therefore established an open and ambitious funding scheme. We want to fund proposals that link highly sophisticated research with a vision for the ICT and Biotechnology of tomorrow. We want proposals charged not only with substance and expertise but also with passion and creativity. In particular, we are interested in research programmes that might carry the evolution of ICT forward in the following areas:
- Software and applications, including communications, security, reliability, user-interfaces, and simulation and modelling.
- Components and devices, including photonics, wireless, electronics, or their integration; novel architectures; and nanoscale assembly.
- Networks, including high-speed, broadband, wireless, or mobile transmission; voice, data, or video technology; digital signal processing; network management; switching; and next generation internet.
- Systems, including distributed or parallel systems, and engineering for system reliability, predictability and security.
In addition, the Research Frontiers Programme supports the very best research in broad range of disciplines in Science, Mathematics and Engineering. The RFP programme is important for a number of reasons. First, it provides support for post-doctoral fellows and especially post-graduate students, who are the lifeblood of the future of science both in universities and industry in Ireland. Also it provides the broad underpinnings to the strategic areas by supporting a wide range of research in fields like mathematics, physics and chemistry to name a few. Finally it represents an investment in the longer term future when we are less certain which scientific areas are likely to be most important both economically and in terms of the quality of life of the people of Ireland.
If you have the experience, technical knowledge, and ambition to change technology or ideas in these areas, or want to know how SFI’s researchers are already doing so, please review the SFI website. We also continue to help SFI-funded researchers build partnerships with industry. At SFI, ICT is built for research--today's and tomorrow's.
Apply for an SFI award or learn more about our programmes in the Grants and Awards section.
