Projects can be funded to a maximum of €3m, and a maximum of five years.
More specifically, according to the DAFM, this major biennial research call will fund pioneering research in areas such as climate mitigation and adaptation; biodiversity and water quality; sustainable farming; animal health and welfare; social sustainability; the bioeconomy; agri-digitalisation; and safe, healthy sustainable food.
Among the objectives of the call are building research capacity expertise and reputation; addressing research capability gaps; providing opportunities for early-stage researchers; and developing insights, innovation and technologies to advance the sustainable development of the agriculture, food, forest and bioeconomy sector. As part of the on-going North-South cooperation on agri-food research and innovation, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, in Northern Ireland is collaborating on this research call by providing funding to enable eligible research-performing organisations in Northern Ireland to collaborate on projects with partners in Ireland.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine with special responsibility for research and innovation Martin Heydon, along with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, and Minister of State, Senator Pippa Hackett opened the research call, with Minister Heydon commenting: “If we want to futureproof our primary producers and agri-food sector, we need to continue investing heavily in cutting-edge research.
“This call will build on the very significant investments made by this department last year, including €9.6m for 12 projects under the last thematic research call in 2021; €3.6m for four projects under the Ireland-New Zealand agriculture and climate research partnership; and the €4.5m for 19 projects under the Policy and Strategic Studies Research Call.
“The work funded under these calls is essential to equip farmers, foresters, and the wider agri-food sector with the tools needed to improve their economic, environmental, and social sustainability in the years ahead,” Minister Heydon said.