In March 2020, the Irish Government launched a National Action Plan in response to COVID-19 focused on minimising risk of illness for all, minimising risk of exposure of vulnerable groups and minimising social and economic disruption. As a key action in this plan, a coordinated RD&I funding opportunity was launched to enable the research and innovation community to respond to the immediate and pressing needs of society arising from the pandemic. This call involved SFI, EI, IDA, the HRB and the IRC.
As Ireland looks beyond the initial response to the pandemic and to economic and societal recovery, significant research is required to better understand, mitigate and recover from the impact of COVID-19, and to enhance our readiness and resilience for future resurgences of the virus or other public health emergencies. This call aims to support research in a number of thematic areas focused on advancing our knowledge of the virus and its impact on our health, and developing solutions that contribute to economic and societal recovery.
SFI, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland continue to support Ireland’s RD&I community in their response to COVID-19. Please note, however, that applications to this deadline call will be accepted from applicants in SFI Eligible Research Bodies only. Collaboration with industry is permitted and encouraged where appropriate.
Companies interested in potentially applying for R&D funding in areas outlined in the call or related topics should speak in the first instance to their normal agency contacts at Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. An agency representative will advise whether your project idea is suitable for consideration and assist with how an application can proceed.
The purpose of Phase 2 is to fund projects up to 14 months in duration that build scientific knowledge and/or develop novel solutions that have the potential to impact society in the short/medium term in a number of thematic areas.
To support all-Ireland collaborative research initiatives, SFI has entered into partnership with the Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland). Under this partnership, researchers in Northern Ireland can seek funding as part of joint proposals to this call. Please see the additional guidance for details.
This will be the final call under SFI’s COVID-19 Rapid Response funding. However, funding may be sought for COVID-19-related projects under other SFI programmes, such as the SFI Frontiers for the Future Call or SFI Strategic Partnerships. Potential applicants are advised to consider the suitability of their proposal and to consider the most appropriate mechanism.
Objectives of COVID-19 Rapid Response (Phase 2)
Article Source: https://www.sfi.ie/funding/funding-calls/covid19-rapid-response/
