DAFM announces €5.9m in research funding
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has announced €5.9 million in research funding under the international strand of the department's research programme.
The financial support will enable Irish researchers to be involved in the EU Agroecology Partnership Call, the Green ERAHUB Joint Call, the ICT-AGRI-FOOD Call, and the US-Ireland R&D Partnership.
The department outlined that it 'makes sense' for international collaboration on research projects, given the challenges currently facing the sector.
The Agroecology Partnership, which is funded by Horizion Europe, brings together the European Commission and 72 partners across 26 EU member states, associated countries, and third countries.
Its aim is to support an agriculture sector that is fit to meet climate targets, and deal with challenges surrounding biodiversity loss, food security, and the environment, while ensuring profitable and attractive activity for farmers.
DAFM's funding will also be involved in the ICT-AGRI-FOOD project. This project is run by the European Research Area Network (ERANET) and is focused on underpinning the transition towards more sustainable and resilient agri-food systems with digital technology.
The aim of the project is to address the challenges faced around the world by agricultural and food systems. It hopes that this would emphasise the role these systems play in mitigating issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security.
Recipients attending DAFM offices. Back row l-r: Dr Ian Short, Professor Fiona Doohan, Dr Gary Gillespie, Dr Samuel Browett, Professor Alan O'Riordan, Dr Achim Schmalenberger, Dr Ciaran Hearn. Front row l-r: Dr Mahjabin Siddique, Dr Tamíris Da Costa, Dr Adriana Cunha Neve, Minister of State Noel Grealish, Dr Yuansong Qiao, Dr Aine Macken-Walsh, Dr Laura Boyle, Dr Saorla Kavanagh.
Research funding
Another research project DAFM is funding is the Green ERAHUB (GEH) research initiative.
This project aims to provide information, communication, cooperation, networking, and joint transnational funding in the agri-food and biotechnology sector for national funders and researchers.
The second call on sustainable and resilient agri-food systems under the GEH was focused on the improved resilience and health of crops and livestock production.
Finally, DAFM will give funding to the US – Ireland R&D Partnership. This is a tri-jurisdictional alliance between Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the US.
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