The announcement of a €300 million fund for research in higher education institutions (HEIs ) has been welcomed by Athlone Institute of Technology.
The Director of Research at the institute, Prof Gabriel Crean, said that the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI ) was essential if the Irish third level sector was to be a world player in research and development.
“At AIT we have highlighted the development of the research capacity and capability of the institute as a strategic priority. While we are continually expanding our research activity and outputs, and will achieve €7.25 million in funding this year, our vision is to increase research collaborations, invest in leading-edge infrastructure and increase base-line research-active participation,” said Prof Crean.
“Our proposal for PRTLI funding will reflect the strategic priorities of the institute and of the Midlands region. It will be truly collaborative in nature and will involve partnerships with other higher education institutions, research bodies, state agencies and industry,” he stated.
PRTLI cycle five will run over five years between 2009 and 2013. More than €865 million has been awarded to institutes of technology and universities under previous cycles of the programme. In 2000, AIT received €2.3 million in funding to establish the Centre for Biopolymer and Biomolecular Research (CBBR ).
The CBBR which is now termed the Bioscience Research Institute (BRI ) is active in areas such as biopolymer synthesis, modification and characterisation; the development of bio-process technologies; novel drug delivery systems and rapid toxicological evaluation.
The investment under the PRTLI cycle five will be targeted under four headings: capital facilities, national shared facilities, structured PhD programmes, as well as research in new and emerging areas.
