Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future Programme

Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future

Funds high-risk investigator-driven research in Ireland across frontier technology and translational discovery.

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

Research Ireland's Frontiers for the Future programme supports independent investigators at Irish universities and approved research bodies conducting highly innovative, high-risk, high-reward projects across all disciplines — STEM, arts, humanities, and social sciences alike. The programme is the direct successor to Science Foundation Ireland's flagship investigator scheme, preserved under the Research Ireland brand following the 2024 merger of SFI and the Irish Research Council. It is an annual open call, with the 2025 edition carrying a January 15, 2025 submission deadline.

Awards range from €600,000 to €1,500,000 in direct costs over a project duration of four to five years. The lead applicant's salary is not a fundable item. Applicants must hold a PhD awarded at least three years before submission and must be named as senior author on a minimum of three peer-reviewed publications. Only independent researchers based at an eligible Irish higher education institution or approved research body may apply — postdoctoral researchers and individuals without institutional affiliation are ineligible. A dedicated Emerging Investigator sub-track is available for researchers who have not previously held a major Research Ireland award, or who are returning from eligible career leave; this track weights evaluation toward research quality rather than track record.

Competitive success depends on demonstrating research impact potential, cross-disciplinary or collaborative ambition, and a credible delivery plan. Applicants should engage their host institution's research office early, as Irish HEIs control institutional eligibility and submit on behalf of individuals. The programme accepts applications annually — researchers targeting a future call should track the Research Ireland funding portal for the next open window, which historically runs through the winter months.