EDGE was a training and development programme of scientific excellence for postdoctoral researchers that offered a unique combination of disciplines and industry engagement to the 57 fellows who eventually participated on the programme. Leveraging the strengths and assets of three Irish National Research Centres, AMBER, CONNECT and ADAPT, headquartered in TCD, EDGE has formed a future generation of thought leaders in ICT. AMBER offered expertise in advanced materials that will play a pivotal role in future systems and devices. CONNECT’s focus is on future communication networks towards 6G communications, that will underpin the services the world needs, and ADAPT brings cutting-edge expertise in digital content. EDGE researchers worked at the interface between these Centres and generated highly interdisciplinary projects, adding value to all centres. Most importantly, industry had a primary role in defining, running and supporting the projects, and will take an active part in developing the scientists, through secondments, industry events and specialised training.
Applying the principles of the Charter and Code throughout the programme, the EDGE selection process was guided by the principles of Excellence, Transparency, Fairness and Impartiality. Candidates submitted proposals and fellows were selected following an open, transparent, merit-based, impartial and equitable selection procedure, based on international peer review. EDGE has built skills that addressed a clearly identified skills shortage across Ireland and Europe.
EDGE has impacted Europe through the development of a unique cohort of 57 excellent, cross-disciplinary fellows who will have the capability of managing multidisciplinary, industrial research problems. On completion of their fellowship they had the skillset to enter the European workforce to deliver innovation and enhance European Industrial Competitiveness across the entire spectrum from materials to content. Many of the fellows have already progressed beyond the programme and are either showing signs of becoming leading faculty. In one case, a former EDGE fellow has already reached research area director level in an Irish technological university.
