Dr Ruth Freeman
Director, Science for Society, SFI
Demand for STEM skills is projected to increase by around 8% over the next 18 months, compared to an average 3% growth forecast for all occupations.
Employment within STEM-related sectors is also expected to grow by around 6.5% over the same period. Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), through various campaigns, fosters awareness and appreciation of science careers.
Fostering STEM passion and understanding
Science Week (10–17 November 2024) sees hundreds of events hosted nationwide. Its momentum complements collaborations with the Department of Education, helping young people and teachers interact with — and better understand — science. As well as a curriculum subject, science is a pastime and a prospective profession. Igniting the spark of scientific interest during one’s formative years can be life-defining.
Supporting postgraduates
In 2023, Ireland ranked 15th globally for university-industry R&D collaboration; our organisation supported 2,476 postgraduate research students, and 30% of PhD graduates and postdoctoral staff departing SFI teams entered industry as a first destination. Moreover, since January 2024, the tax-free stipend for SFI and Irish Research Council-supported PhD researchers has increased by €3,000 (to €22,000).
Responding to increased demand and rapidly evolving needs for a highly-skilled, adaptable workforce, Centres for Research Training (CRTs) bring together the higher education sector and industry to deliver innovative programmes, undertaken by cohorts of postgraduates, developing critical capacity in data and ICT skills. The growing role of technology and data in today’s world provides strong career opportunities for those with analytical and problem-solving skills.
In 2023, Ireland ranked 15th globally for
university-industry R&D collaboration.
Academic-industry collaboration
Our Industry RD&I (research, development and innovation) Fellowship Programmesupports mutually beneficial academia-industry interactions by addressing industry-informed challenges. Researchers at faculty and postdoctoral levels can spend up to a year full-time (or two years part-time) in industry worldwide.
Public service secondments
Our Public Service Fellowship Programme offers researchers secondments to government departments and agencies. This year’s programme — co-funded with Environmental Protection Agency, Geological Survey Ireland and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland — provided 14 awards, spanning 11 departments and agencies.
Agency in-house placement
For postdoctoral researchers seeking career development within a funding agency, our Fellowship Programme provides fulfilling, in-house placements, where comprehensive training plans and mentorship help enrich both organisation and participating fellows.
Alumni of our funded research teams are in high demand, nationally and internationally. Around 61% of researchers have taken up positions outside academia after working in SFI-funded teams.
