Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is pleased to launch the Science Policy Research Programme 2023 to develop and support science policy research in Ireland.
 
Impact 2030, Ireland’s seven-year strategy on research and development, science and technology, puts research and innovation (R&I) at the heart of addressing Ireland’s social, economic and environmental challenges. Critical to the delivery of this vision will be effective policies: for the funding, evaluation, dissemination of scientific research; for the building of a renowned talent pool of researchers who can train and develop future researchers and enhance Ireland’s international reputation for innovation; and for building a world class research system. Building Ireland’s research capacity in the area of Science Policy will ensure that international best practice can be brought to bear in an Irish context.
 

Ireland has invested significantly in Research and Development (R&D) over a 23 year period and there are now sufficient data amassed to critically analyse the impact of national investment in R&D and the effectiveness of science policy against other nations of similar size (e.g. Small Advanced Economies) and R&D investment. This analysis should also take national smart specialisation strategy into account. System-level return on investment is a key driver for Impact 2030 so this type of analysis will prove invaluable to the Irish Government in assessing the impact and effectiveness of their investment to date and for investments in the future.

Objectives of the Science Policy Research Programme

The objectives of the programme are:
  • To fund detailed analyses of relevant data from government departments or agencies and other sources of data;
  • To allow dissemination of knowledge by various means including via peer reviewed publications and via presentations at or hosting of conferences/workshops, and presentations at government departments or agencies;
  • Input to continued evolution of RDI policy in Ireland;
  • To enable training of policy researchers;
  • To provide support to academics to conduct focused research in science funding policy in order to build capacity;
  • To encourage collaborations with international experts in the field and key policy makers or research funders in government departments or agencies.

Funding

Duration: 12-24 months
Award Size: Up to €175,000 direct costs

How to apply

The SFI Science Policy Research application form is available on SESAME, SFI’s Grant Management System, from 14 July 2023.  
 
If accessing SESAME for the first time, researchers should contact their local Research Office to be set up on this system. For more information on SESAME see here.
 
Queries on the SESAME management system should first be directed to your Institute’s Research Office. If still unresolved, queries should be submitted via SESAME. Please be aware that response time for queries may be up to 5 working days.
 
Please review the Science Policy Research Programme Call document for further details. 
 

Key Dates

Call Launch

28th June 2023

Application form available on SESAME*

14th July 2023, 13:00 Dublin Local Time

Information Webinar

19th July 2023, 14.00 Dublin Local Time

Deadline for Proposal Submission*

8th September 2023,13:00 Dublin Local Time

Funding Decision

December 2023

* Please contact your Research Office well in advance in order to obtain registration details for SESAME and to become familiar with any internal Research Body submission deadlines

Call Documentation

SFI Science Policy Research programme 2023 Call Document (PDF)

Narrative CV (Postdoctoral Researcher Lead Applicant)(Word)

Narrative CV (Established Researcher Lead Applicant)(Word)

Narrative CV (Mentor)(Word)

Narrative CV (Collaborator)(Word)

FAQs (PDF)_September_2023

SFI reserves the right to make amendments to the documents if required. Please ensure that you are referring to the most recent version of the Call / FAQ document.

Information Webinar

A webinar outlining the SFI Science Policy Research 2023 call and its application process was held on Wednesday 19th July 2023 at 2.00 pm.

*Please note that the FAQs have been updated to reflect the Q&A session.

Check below the webinar recording

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Science Policy Research 2023 Webinar Presentation

Programme Queries

For programme-related queries please contact: Lisa Murphy and Peter Clifford at sciencepolicyresearch@sfi.ie.