Research Ireland’s Industry Fellowship Programme supports collaboration between researchers and companies in Ireland, with full-time fellowships lasting 1–12 months or part-time fellowships lasting up to 24 months.
Background & Fellowship Description
Research Ireland’s Industry Fellowship Programme supports researcher mobility between academia and enterprise. The programme aims to strengthen collaboration, encourage knowledge exchange and help translate research into innovation and economic impact across Ireland.
Fellows undertake research projects within companies, working on challenges and opportunities developed collaboratively with their industry hosts. The programme is designed to help researchers gain industry experience, develop professional networks and contribute to research and innovation outside traditional academic environments.
The scheme is open to late-stage PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and academic staff.
Fellowship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Research Ireland |
| Programme | Industry Fellowship Programme |
| Location | Ireland |
| Eligible applicants | Late-stage PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and academic staff |
| Full-time duration | 1–12 months |
| Part-time duration | Up to 24 months |
| Application system | SESAME |
| Assessment dates | 19 November 2026, 31 March 2027 and 30 September 2027 |
| Funding amount | Not specified in the supplied announcement |
| Contact | industry.fellowship@researchireland.ie |
Research Focus and Fellowship Benefits
The programme enables researchers to work within companies on projects addressing shared research and industry priorities.
Potential benefits include gaining experience in an enterprise setting, transferring research expertise into practical applications, developing new professional relationships and building a better understanding of industry research needs.
The programme also aims to establish longer-term partnerships between academic institutions and businesses, strengthening connections between Ireland’s research community and enterprise sector.
Qualifications and Eligibility
The supplied announcement identifies three broad applicant groups:
- Late-stage PhD candidates.
- Postdoctoral researchers.
- Academic staff.
Applicants should check the official programme documentation for detailed eligibility criteria, requirements for the industry host, eligible project costs and any restrictions on applicants or research areas.
Additional Information
The SESAME application system opened on 12 October 2026. The first listed assessment deadline is 19 November 2026, followed by 31 March 2027 and 30 September 2027. Further assessment dates are to be announced.
The programme offers a choice of full-time fellowships lasting between one and twelve months or part-time fellowships lasting up to twenty-four months.
How to enquire: Contact Research Ireland at industry.fellowship@researchireland.ie for programme guidance and consult the official Research Ireland website for application instructions and funding details.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Research Ireland Industry Fellowship Programme?
It is a programme supporting researchers who undertake collaborative research projects within companies in Ireland.
2. Who can apply?
The stated applicant groups include late-stage PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and academic staff. Detailed eligibility conditions should be checked in the official programme guidance.
3. How long can a fellowship last?
Full-time fellowships can last from one to twelve months. Part-time fellowships can last up to twenty-four months.
4. When is the next listed assessment deadline?
The first listed deadline is 19 November 2026. Additional dates are 31 March 2027 and 30 September 2027.
5. How much funding is available?
The supplied announcement does not specify the funding amount or detailed eligible costs.
6. How can applicants obtain more information?
Applicants can contact industry.fellowship@researchireland.ie.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The Industry Fellowship Programme may interest researchers seeking to apply their expertise in an industry setting while building partnerships between academia and enterprise. Applicants should review the official guidelines carefully before preparing a collaborative project proposal.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares research and funding opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with Research Ireland. Applicants should verify funding conditions, eligibility and submission requirements through the programme’s official channels.
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