€13.6 million funding has been allocated to Waterford's SETU

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris T.D. has announced €13.6 million of funding has been allocated for South East Technological University as part of the TU RISE programme which seeks to further enhance Research & Innovation opportunities across the Technological University.

Waterford Fine Gael Senator John Cummins commented: 'Today’s announcement builds on the government’s commitment to
building a strong university sector in Waterford and the South East which is grounded in research and innovation. This significant research-oriented funding will further enhance the TU’s capacity and capability, ensuring that the South East region and Ireland as a nation will be recognised as a world-leader in Research and Innovation for years to come.'

The programme will establish, equip, and staff regional research and innovation offices within TUs across Ireland, enabling deepened engagement with local and regional business, industry, and enterprise stakeholders. It is also directed at developing researcher human capital across the technological sector, including staff development, recruitment, postgraduate training and supervision, networking, and collaborative knowledge-transfer and mobility schemes.

TU RISE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Southern, Eastern & Midland and the Northern & Western Regional Programmes, 2021-2027. The Higher Education Authority will manage the operations of the TU RISE scheme.

Minister Harris said 'I am very pleased to announce, with the assistance of the European Regional Development Fund, the allocation of almost €84 million in funding to our five TUs as well as to Dundalk Institute of Technology and Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology.'

'The Technological Universities are uniquely placed to link with local and regional enterprises, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises, to support them to turn innovation opportunities into real-world actuality.'

Chief Executive of the Higher Education Authority, Dr Alan Wall, said: 'Funding under TU RISE comes at a critical juncture in the development of the technological university sector. This funding offers institutions the opportunity to enhance central research functions, which are critical to institutions strategically developing and achieving their research ambitions. Investment in staff and researchers in individual disciplines at Faculty level offers institutions an important opportunity to build expertise in research areas that will facilitate stronger engagement with regional enterprises aligned to Ireland’s Smart Specialisation Strategy and the Regional Enterprise Plans.'

'This investment is designed to support our TUs contribution to a bottom-up, place-based, dynamic process which brings together regional and national actors to link Ireland’s regional needs and potential with innovative policymaking.'