Significant impact achieved from public funding in energy research. Up to 19 million Government funding through the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and co-funders to be invested in 2025.
The Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) has announced a new round of Government of Ireland funding for energy research and innovation projects. The call welcomes novel proposals for energy research, development and demonstration (RD&D) which will help accelerate Ireland's transition to a clean and secure energy future. Through support from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, SEAI will invest around 19 million in a multi-year pipeline of energy RD&D projects. The deadline for applications for the call is 12 noon on Tuesday 1 July 2025.
The National Energy RD&D programme has operated for more than twenty years and is a critical component of SEAI's role in coordinating and supporting energy research in Ireland. More than 240 projects have been successful under funding calls over the last six years to a total funding of over 100 million. These projects drive innovative solutions in wind energy, bioenergy, energy systems integration, energy efficiency, energy markets, smart grids, transportation, energy policy, community engagement, and geothermal energy.
Coinciding with the funding call, SEAI has launched the first impact report for the SEAI National Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) funding programme. The report provides details on the outputs and early impacts from completed projects funded through previous calls. With 3.2 million co-funding leveraged through partnerships, these projects led by industry and academia provided widespread benefits for society and the economy supporting skills, knowledge and insights to accelerate the energy transition in Ireland. The inaugural impact report clearly demonstrates the value of this funding and how research makes a difference in our energy transition journey.
Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O'Brien, TD said:
"Research and innovation are vital enablers for delivery of Ireland's energy and climate ambitions. I am delighted to launch this call today, which will support our research community to innovate and investigate new technologies, approaches, and solutions to drive Ireland's clean energy transition. Alongside this funding opportunity, I welcome the launch of the inaugural edition of the SEAI National Energy RDD Impact Report, and I look forward to hearing the outcomes and impacts of future projects in further editions."
Margie McCarthy, Director of Research and Policy Insight of SEAI said:
"Fostering cutting-edge research is a pivotal step in addressing the pressing challenges of energy sustainability and efficiency. SEAI supports for research, development and demonstration aim to drive advancements that will benefit our communities and contribute significantly to Ireland's national strategy for a sustainable future. Our commitment to energy research underscores our dedication to supporting Ireland's goals of reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy security, and promoting economic growth through innovative energy research projects. We invite researchers and innovators to join us in this crucial endeavour to shape a resilient and sustainable energy landscape for generations to come."
SEAI recognises that it is essential to attract a broad range of research actors to this call acknowledging that the solutions we need are unprecedented and must serve across society. The 2025 call is open for applications from all research disciplines, and from public and private sector organisations, either applying individually or as part of a consortium. Equal, diverse, and inclusive teams lead to higher productivity, creativity, and greater problem-solving ability resulting in more impactful research. We strive to enhance opportunities to address gender imbalances in research leadership. Wider support is also available to support equality, diversity and inclusion including funding for those who may have additional support needs and accompanied travel for those with caring responsibilities.
SEAI is pleased to announce that the 2025 call involves co-funding partnerships with Met Éireann and The Climate Change Advisory Council. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine also intend to co-fund Topics 16 and 17, subject to final approval at a later stage. This year's call contains a thematic strand and an open strand. The thematic strand includes research topics co-developed by SEAI in consultation with a range of government departments and agencies. There are 20 topics in the thematic strand, with research themes including heat, electricity, grid flexibility, EV grants, energy modelling, maritime transport, energy poverty, offshore wind, critical raw materials, behavioural change and bioenergy among others. The open strand welcomes applicants to submit applications on vital research that addresses the overall programme objectives and contributes to Ireland's clean energy transition.
An open information webinar will be organised by SEAI RDD team on Wednesday 21 May at 10 am to provide further detail on applications.
Further information is available on the SEAI National Energy RD&D Funding Programme webpage.
