Heydon announces awards for six new policy-focused research projects, launches the 2024 Call to inform policy and strategic needs

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for research and development, Martin Heydon T.D, today announced awards of over €800,000 for six short term research projects that look at emerging policy and strategic needs of the agri-food, forest and bioeconomy sectors.

The first Policy and Strategic Studies Research Call (PSSRC) was launched in 2022 to support evidence-based research, which is an integral element in the formation of public policy.

Speaking on the announcement of the awards for the 2023 Call, Minister Heydon said

"The €800,000 in funding from my Department I am announcing today for six research projects will contribute to informing public policy across a number of areas. The topics selected include greenhouse gas emissions and water quality, gender and generational renewal in agriculture, animal health, antimicrobial resistance, sustainable food systems and food safety."

Meanwhile, Minister Heydon also announced the opening of the 2024 Policy and Strategic Studies Research Call.

Commenting on this, Heydon said

"The 2024 call for proposals under my Departments Policy and Strategic Studies research instrument is now open. A total of 27 topics are available for researchers to apply to, ranging from animal health and welfare, food safety and biosecurity, to forest management and health, soil health, climate mitigation and food waste, among others. I strongly encourage our world class research community to examine this Call and to take advantage of the opportunity to conduct research which can directly influence public policy for the benefit of the agri-food, forest and bioeconomy sectors."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The 'Policy and Strategic Studies Research Call' (PSSRC) supports research that expands the evidence base for the department, informing and supporting the development of policies across the agri-food, forest, and biobased sector. Financial support is provided through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Research Programme. Projects can be up to one or two years in duration.

I. 2023 PSSRC Awards

• Awards totalling €806,472 are being made to six projects, the details of which are in the attached

II. 2024 PSSRC

• The 2024 Call is now open for applications for eligible Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) in Ireland. Call documents can be found here: gov - Research - Open Calls (www.gov.ie)

Research proposals should be submitted through the FlexiGrant online submission portal.

The deadline for submissions is 12pm on 6th June 2024.