Tyndall National Institute (Tyndall), based at University College Cork, has reached a significant milestone securing funding for 60 EU projects to date under the Horizon Europe framework programme, totalling more than €45m.
This achievement was celebrated during a recent visit by Patrick O'Donovan, higher education minister, who commended Tyndall’s contribution to Ireland’s research and innovation ecosystem.
Minister O’Donovan was welcomed to Tyndall for the launch of its 2023 Annual Report, where he had the opportunity to engage with some of Tyndall’s postgraduate students and witness first-hand the deep-tech research being conducted at the institute.
The Horizon Europe-funded projects at Tyndall range from developing sustainable, next-generation semiconductor chips to creating a biosensor platform that uses cellular responses to detect environmental pollutants. These projects align with the goals of Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy, which seeks to position Ireland as a global leader in addressing societal challenges through research and innovation. Through EU funding, Tyndall continues to train early career researchers, provide vital expertise and infrastructure to SMEs, and address global issues in health, agri-food, environment, and energy.
The year 2023 was a hugely successful year for Tyndall all round, with the annual report also stating that Tyndall’s total annual income surpassed €50m, up 19% on 2022, including €47m in funding for 52 new research projects.
Other key successes
- Direct industry funding of €8m;
- Record headcount achieved with 533 people, including 160 postgraduate students;
- Delivery of research and support to more than 50 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in 2023, accounting for more than half of Tyndall’s industry engagements;
- Development of a new smart wearable device in collaboration with West Pharmaceutical Services and PA Consulting, which uses microneedle technology to painlessly deliver medication through the skin, allowing patients to treat themselves in an at-home setting;
- Renewal of the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Professor Award for Stefan Andersson-Engels, with a number of other researchers receiving SFI-IRC Pathway Awards.
Patrick O'Donovan, higher education minister, said: “Tyndall’s success in securing more than €45m in European funding is a testament to Ireland's growing strength in research and innovation. Tyndall’s commitment to advancing deep-tech technologies and supporting early career researchers is vital to our national strategy, Impact 2030, which seeks to position Ireland as a global leader in addressing key societal challenges.”
Professor William Scanlon, CEO, Tyndall said: “Tyndall’s continued success in securing significant funding and advancing research reflects its pivotal role in fulfilling the objectives outlined in Impact 2030, driving Ireland’s ambition to be at the forefront of global innovation.”