Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has said the first Annual Report from Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland demonstrates the strength of the research sector in Galway and its contribution to Ireland’s research and innovation system.

The 2025 Annual Report shows that researchers linked to the University of Galway received €46 million across 109 Research Ireland awards during 2025.

Nationally, Research Ireland paid out €326 million in its first full year of operation, with 1,053 separate awards across 37 programmes.

The report also outlines Research Ireland’s contribution to Government policy, including the development of the Digital and AI Strategy and the implementation of the Climate Action Plan, Quantum 2030 and Impact 2030.

In 2025, Research Ireland also developed and implemented a Disability Policy, providing supplementary funding to Research Ireland-funded grant holders and team members towards eligible reasonable accommodations where these costs are not available through other existing funding mechanisms.

Minister Canney said: “This report gives us a very clear picture of the scale and impact of research being carried out across Ireland, and Galway features strongly.

“Researchers linked to the University of Galway received €46 million across 109 awards during 2025. That reflects the significant research activity taking place here and the contribution Galway is making to Ireland’s wider research and innovation system.

“The impact of this investment extends well beyond individual research projects. It supports jobs, develops talent, strengthens links with industry and helps Ireland compete internationally.”

The report estimates that Research Ireland activity supports 58,000 jobs directly and indirectly across Ireland, with 8,241 people working on Research Ireland-supported research projects.

It also shows that 70% of Research Ireland-funded PhD graduates go on to work in industry or the public sector, while Research Ireland researchers reported 5,887 publications in 2025.

Research Ireland’s network of 16 Research Centres represents a cumulative investment of €766.7 million. The centres link scientists and engineers with 952 companies, including 464 based in Ireland.