The Research Ireland Industry Fellowship supports late-stage PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and academic staff undertaking collaborative research with companies in Ireland. Fellowships last up to 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time.
Background & Fellowship Description
Research Ireland is offering the Industry Fellowship Programme, an initiative designed to strengthen collaboration between academic researchers and businesses across Ireland.
The programme enables researchers to undertake a fellowship within a company, working on a jointly developed research project that addresses shared challenges and opportunities. By connecting academic expertise with enterprise needs, the initiative aims to accelerate innovation, knowledge exchange and the practical application of research.
The programme is open to late-stage PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and academic staff. It also seeks to establish long-term partnerships between research institutions and industry, helping researchers gain professional experience and develop networks beyond academia.
The 2026 programme opened for applications through SESAME on 12 October 2026, with rolling assessment deadlines beginning on 19 November 2026.
Fellowship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | Research Ireland Industry Fellowship |
| Funding organisation | Research Ireland |
| Location | Ireland |
| Research setting | Companies and enterprise organisations |
| Eligible groups | Late-stage PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and academic staff |
| Duration | 1–12 months full-time or up to 24 months part-time |
| Application system | SESAME |
| First assessment deadline | 19 November 2026 |
| Additional assessment deadlines | 31 March 2027 and 30 September 2027 |
| Funding amount | Not specified in the supplied announcement |
| Contact email | industry.fellowship@researchireland.ie |
| Official website | Research Ireland |
Fellowship Objectives and Benefits
The Industry Fellowship Programme is designed to bring researchers and companies together to develop projects with academic and commercial relevance.
Collaborative Research Projects
Fellows work within a company on a research project developed jointly with the industry partner. Projects are intended to address shared challenges and opportunities, creating a connection between academic research and practical business needs.
Knowledge Exchange and Innovation
The programme encourages the exchange of knowledge, skills and expertise between academic institutions and enterprises. Researchers can gain a better understanding of industry challenges while contributing research capabilities to innovation activities.
Professional Development
Participating researchers can gain valuable experience in an industry setting, build professional networks and explore career perspectives beyond traditional academic environments.
Stronger Research-Industry Partnerships
Research Ireland aims to develop sustainable relationships between academia and enterprise. These partnerships can help translate research findings into applications with economic impact across Ireland.
The programme builds on earlier enterprise-focused mobility initiatives, including the Enterprise Fellowship Placement Stream and the Industry RD&I Fellowship Programme.
Qualifications and Eligibility
According to the supplied announcement, the programme is open to the following groups:
- Late-stage PhD candidates undertaking advanced doctoral research.
- Postdoctoral researchers seeking opportunities to collaborate with industry.
- Academic staff interested in undertaking research within a company.
The fellowship is intended for researchers who can participate in a collaborative project addressing shared research and enterprise challenges.
The supplied announcement does not include the complete eligibility conditions, funding rules or detailed application requirements. Applicants should consult the official programme documentation to confirm their eligibility and any requirements concerning their host company, research proposal or institutional affiliation.
Additional Information
Important Application Dates
The Research Ireland Industry Fellowship uses rolling assessment deadlines. The dates listed in the supplied announcement are:
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| SESAME application system opened | 12 October 2026 |
| Information webinar | 13 October 2026 |
| First assessment deadline | 19 November 2026 |
| Second assessment deadline | 31 March 2027 |
| Third assessment deadline | 30 September 2027 |
| Subsequent assessment dates | To be confirmed |
Fellowship Duration
Fellowships can last from one to 12 months on a full-time basis, or up to 24 months on a part-time basis.
The announcement does not state the specific funding amount or payment arrangements. Applicants should consult the programme guidelines for details about eligible costs, financial support and the conditions attached to each fellowship.
How to Apply
Interested researchers should visit the official Research Ireland website and locate the Industry Fellowship Programme’s 2026 application information. The announcement identifies SESAME as the application system.
For programme enquiries, contact industry.fellowship@researchireland.ie.
Applicants should review the full guidelines, confirm their eligibility and prepare the required application materials before the relevant assessment deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Research Ireland Industry Fellowship?
It is a research mobility programme that enables researchers to collaborate with companies in Ireland on jointly developed projects, strengthening knowledge exchange, innovation and research impact.
2. Who can apply for the Industry Fellowship?
The programme is open to late-stage PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and academic staff. Applicants should check the full programme guidelines for additional eligibility conditions.
3. How long does the fellowship last?
The fellowship can run for one to 12 months full-time or up to 24 months part-time.
4. When is the application deadline?
The first assessment deadline is 19 November 2026. Further listed deadlines are 31 March 2027 and 30 September 2027. The programme uses rolling assessments, and later dates may be announced.
5. How much funding is available?
The supplied announcement does not specify a funding amount. Applicants should consult the official programme guidelines for funding details.
6. Where will fellows conduct their research?
The programme supports research undertaken within a company in Ireland, through a collaborative project developed with the industry partner.
7. What are the main benefits of the fellowship?
Benefits include industry research experience, professional networking, knowledge exchange, exposure to enterprise challenges and opportunities to build long-term research-industry partnerships.
8. How can I apply?
Visit the Research Ireland website and look for the Industry Fellowship Programme’s 2026 call and SESAME application instructions.
9. How can applicants contact the programme team?
Email industry.fellowship@researchireland.ie for programme-related enquiries.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The Research Ireland Industry Fellowship may suit researchers seeking to connect academic expertise with practical industry challenges. Its flexible duration and emphasis on collaborative projects offer opportunities to develop new professional networks, exchange knowledge and contribute to research with economic and commercial relevance.
Researchers should check the official programme guidelines carefully, particularly for funding details, eligibility conditions and application requirements.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares research, funding and career opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with Research Ireland and does not administer the programme. Applicants should verify all requirements and deadlines through the official programme documentation.
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