Science Foundation Ireland achieved impressive progress in five years, review finds
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), established by the government in 2000 to undertake and support world-class research in strategic areas of science, has been 'a most positive driving force for change in the Irish research system in recent years', according to an independent review. The international review panel, led by Richard Brook, Director of the Leverhulme Trust in London, found that in a very short space of time, SFI has helped Ireland to develop strong research capacities in two important research fields - biotechnology and information and communication technologies (ICT). According to Professor Brook, 'Research of excellent quality is being funded by SFI, and the existence of SFI funding is having a positive catalytic effect on the performance of research in Ireland in these two fields.' The panel noted that SFI has increased its funding levels from 10 million euro in 2001 to 121 million euro in 2005, and in doing so has established 163 research groups employing over 1,150 researchers and some 450 PhD students. Of these research groups, 34 are led by principal scientists who have come to Ireland from laboratories abroad. 'SFI has played a major role in helping to internationalise the Irish research system,' the report concludes. SFI has also established six Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSETs) in core thematic fields, with the considerable involvement of industry. Based on visits to four of these centres, the panel described itself as 'enthusiastic about the CSET concept and impressed by what has been achieved in the short time of its operation'. The only negative comments in the panel's report relate to the consistency and clarity of some of SFI's operating procedures, for example relating to mid-term reviews, overheads, and researchers applying for a second grant. Its peer review process is, however, 'operating to the highest international standards,' according to the report. The panel makes a number of recommendations based on its findings. It urges SFI to continue to base its grants on the criterion of research excellence above all else, and warns against the foundation being diverted into supporting peripheral activities, no matter how worthy, which can be done by other, more appropriate agencies. The report calls on the Irish government to continue taking a long-term view on research funding, as the panel believes that such an approach will bring increasingly identifiable benefits. Finally, higher education institutions and other bodies are urged to work with SFI researchers to identify outputs from SFI funded initiatives with commercialisation potential, and develop a mechanism for linking these to industry. Commenting on the report, Ireland's Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheal Martin, said: 'I welcome this timely and detailed assessment of the work of [SFI] over the past few years. This report provides strong confirmation both of the need for SFI and of the contribution it has made, and continues to make, to strengthening our national research system.' Mr Martin concluded: 'The government remains strongly committed to the ideals and objectives of SFI and it is gratifying to receive this independent, international confirmation that SFI is well on the way to achieving these objectives.'
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Ireland