Periodic Reporting for period 1 - INSPIRE (INnovative Sustainable Development InterdisciPlinary Post-Doctoral Research Excellence)
Reporting period: 2022-01-01 to 2023-12-31
There is a worldwide shift towards sustainable development in business and society, articulated in international policy agreements such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The INSPIRE programme is committed to research that aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The programme is co-ordinated by APC Microbiome Ireland, the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) research centre for microbiome research and will leverage APC's leading reputation on solutions for food, antimicrobial resistance and non-communicable diseases and strengthen our cross-cutting efforts to support solving challenges prioritised by the SDGs. The programme will try to break down silos between public, policy, and industry to tackle global societal challenges which are increasingly becoming a requirement for new hires outside of academia by releasing 20 highly trained interdisciplinary researchers ready to address global societal challenges.
The programme aims to develop a cohort of experienced researchers that consider the practical applications of their research for promoting innovative solutions to global challenges. This will be done by combining research into the Microbiome and solutions to global challenges relating to food and health such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), non-communicable diseases (NCD) or those highlighted by the SDGs.
INSPIRE’s overall objective is to cultivate the next generation of scientific leaders who are adaptable, systems thinkers at the forefront of leading microbiome research. INSPIRE aims to support experienced researchers to take the next step in their careers by providing them the opportunity to design intersectoral microbiome research projects in the interconnected areas of food systems or health that address pressing global challenges that align with APCs research expertise and tackling societal global challenges. A particular strength of the APC is its significant intersectoral and interdisciplinary partnerships with global industry, policy decision makers and SMEs. Credible scientific solutions are increasingly needed for global challenges. INSPIRE aims to forge cross-sectoral partnerships by exposing researchers to practitioners, supporting international networking, career development and leadership training.
Research projects are ground up and fellows can freely select the research project, supervisor, and Irish academic host institution. Fellows will benefit from access to excellent researcher supervisors, cutting-edge infrastructure, and robust bespoke coaching / mentoring. A key aim is to develop human capital and future proof fellows’ careers. INSPIRE will provide fellows with personalised professional career development, mentoring and support to ensure their professional development.
The programme aims to develop a cohort of experienced researchers that consider the practical applications of their research for promoting innovative solutions to global challenges. This will be done by combining research into the Microbiome and solutions to global challenges relating to food and health such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), non-communicable diseases (NCD) or those highlighted by the SDGs.
INSPIRE’s overall objective is to cultivate the next generation of scientific leaders who are adaptable, systems thinkers at the forefront of leading microbiome research. INSPIRE aims to support experienced researchers to take the next step in their careers by providing them the opportunity to design intersectoral microbiome research projects in the interconnected areas of food systems or health that address pressing global challenges that align with APCs research expertise and tackling societal global challenges. A particular strength of the APC is its significant intersectoral and interdisciplinary partnerships with global industry, policy decision makers and SMEs. Credible scientific solutions are increasingly needed for global challenges. INSPIRE aims to forge cross-sectoral partnerships by exposing researchers to practitioners, supporting international networking, career development and leadership training.
Research projects are ground up and fellows can freely select the research project, supervisor, and Irish academic host institution. Fellows will benefit from access to excellent researcher supervisors, cutting-edge infrastructure, and robust bespoke coaching / mentoring. A key aim is to develop human capital and future proof fellows’ careers. INSPIRE will provide fellows with personalised professional career development, mentoring and support to ensure their professional development.
From Month 1-24, the INSPIRE programme advertised for two Calls for twenty prestigious two-year fellowships.
The selection process adhered to the principles of Excellence, Transparency, Fairness and Impartiality, Efficiency & Speed, and Ethics & Security. A dedicated website was developed and used as the central hub for all INSPIRE Call documentation. The Call was promoted worldwide with a high number of expressions of interest were made from around the globe. The evaluation and selection process followed the same system for both Calls, where applications underwent an eligibility check, ethics check and external international peer review. Applicants that scored above the required threshold at international peer review check were invited to interview after which a final funding decision was made.
Ten fellows were selected from Call 1 and have commenced on their research projects. One of the key pillars of INSPIRE is sustainability and the development of credible scientific solutions for global challenges such as anti-microbial resistance, the burden of non-communicable diseases, and the need for sustainable food systems. INSPIRE fellows have taken on an interdisciplinary approach and have developed research proposals that combine one of APC’s four thematic areas (Microbes to Molecules, Diet and Microbes, Gut Brain Microbe Axis or Host-Microbe Dialogue) with an SDG.
They have also developed professional development plans and undertaken various complementary and transferable skills training sessions. All recruited fellows have also been involved in education and public engagement events.
Call 2 also attracted a large interest from across the globe from which ten more fellows will be recruited to the programme mid-2024.
The selection process adhered to the principles of Excellence, Transparency, Fairness and Impartiality, Efficiency & Speed, and Ethics & Security. A dedicated website was developed and used as the central hub for all INSPIRE Call documentation. The Call was promoted worldwide with a high number of expressions of interest were made from around the globe. The evaluation and selection process followed the same system for both Calls, where applications underwent an eligibility check, ethics check and external international peer review. Applicants that scored above the required threshold at international peer review check were invited to interview after which a final funding decision was made.
Ten fellows were selected from Call 1 and have commenced on their research projects. One of the key pillars of INSPIRE is sustainability and the development of credible scientific solutions for global challenges such as anti-microbial resistance, the burden of non-communicable diseases, and the need for sustainable food systems. INSPIRE fellows have taken on an interdisciplinary approach and have developed research proposals that combine one of APC’s four thematic areas (Microbes to Molecules, Diet and Microbes, Gut Brain Microbe Axis or Host-Microbe Dialogue) with an SDG.
They have also developed professional development plans and undertaken various complementary and transferable skills training sessions. All recruited fellows have also been involved in education and public engagement events.
Call 2 also attracted a large interest from across the globe from which ten more fellows will be recruited to the programme mid-2024.
Science and innovation are key factors to help Europe achieve smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth and to solve pressing societal challenges. INSPIRE aligns with these objectives as well as aligning closely with Ireland’s Smart Specialisation Strategy, particularly in the priority areas of diagnostics, food for health, and sustainable food production and processing.
INSPIRE will facilitate the future recruitment of talented international researchers in the microbiome space and with an understanding of its role in human disease or food systems.
INSPIRE aims to cultivate the next generation of scientific leaders at the forefront of leading microbiome research that can deliver for society at large. Our changing world demands that researchers develop a broad range of competencies and have the adaptability and willingness to upskill in order to thrive in their chosen careers. INSPIRE aims to develop scientific and innovation leaders through the development and implementation of a professional development plan, tailored for each fellow. Mechanisms such as a compulsory secondment in a non-academic organisation and completion of INSPIRE Summer Schools, in areas such as entrepreneurship, will be integrated into the programme. Fellows will have access to superior supervisor research training, research facilities and infrastructure. They will go on secondment to a non-academic host and develop a wide portfolio of transferable knowledge and skills. They will also develop communication, dissemination, and exploitation skills to support them with the exploitation of their research outputs. On completion of their fellowships, INSPIRE researchers will have developed a multidisciplinary portfolio of skills to help achieve their career goals and meet the evolving needs of the academic and non-academic sectors.
INSPIRE will facilitate the future recruitment of talented international researchers in the microbiome space and with an understanding of its role in human disease or food systems.
INSPIRE aims to cultivate the next generation of scientific leaders at the forefront of leading microbiome research that can deliver for society at large. Our changing world demands that researchers develop a broad range of competencies and have the adaptability and willingness to upskill in order to thrive in their chosen careers. INSPIRE aims to develop scientific and innovation leaders through the development and implementation of a professional development plan, tailored for each fellow. Mechanisms such as a compulsory secondment in a non-academic organisation and completion of INSPIRE Summer Schools, in areas such as entrepreneurship, will be integrated into the programme. Fellows will have access to superior supervisor research training, research facilities and infrastructure. They will go on secondment to a non-academic host and develop a wide portfolio of transferable knowledge and skills. They will also develop communication, dissemination, and exploitation skills to support them with the exploitation of their research outputs. On completion of their fellowships, INSPIRE researchers will have developed a multidisciplinary portfolio of skills to help achieve their career goals and meet the evolving needs of the academic and non-academic sectors.