The Irish government has launched the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Thematic Research Call 2025, with a focus on supporting impactful research proposals that address the sector’s current and emerging challenges and opportunities.
The Importance of Research in Sustainable Food Systems
In 2020, the government introduced the Food Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to make Ireland a global leader in sustainable food systems. The Thematic Research Call 2025 is a significant step towards achieving this goal, with a budget of €30 million allocated for cross-cutting research proposals. The call will support research in four strategic areas:
- Climate, Agri-Environment and Biodiversity
- Smart, Sustainable Animal and Plant Production, Health and Welfare
- Bioeconomy, Ag-tech, Agri-Digitalisation and Data
- Safe, Nutritious and Sustainable Food Processing and Consumption
These areas of focus are designed to address some of the key challenges facing the sector, such as climate change, sustainable agriculture, and food safety. The funded projects will range from €750,000 to €3 million, with a maximum duration of five years.
Key Features of the Call
Some key features of the call include:
- Funded projects will support research in cross-cutting areas, addressing current and emerging challenges and opportunities in the sector.
- The call will support the development of impactful research proposals that deliver real-world benefits.
- Applications must include a clear impact statement and a knowledge transfer plan to ensure the uptake and application of research results.
- The Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) will co-fund certain projects involving eligible institutions from Northern Ireland, marking continued north-south collaboration in agri-food research and innovation.
Minister’s Vision for the Call
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, and Research and Development, Noel Grealish, TD, have highlighted the importance of the call in delivering a resilient, climate-smart, and competitive sector. Minister Heydon stated: “Our continued investment in scientific research and innovation will be vital to delivering a resilient, climate-smart, and competitive sector. The Thematic Research Call 2025 reflects our strong commitment to building knowledge and innovation capacity that meets the needs of policy, farmers, industry, and society.”
Minister Grealish added: “This Thematic Research Call will prioritise research that delivers real-world impact — whether that’s reducing emissions, improving water quality, enhancing animal health and welfare, or driving digital innovation in food systems.”
Impact and Benefits
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Thematic Research Call 2025 aims to support science that will:
• Advance climate-resilient, environmentally sustainable agriculture and forestry
• Support sustainable animal and plant production, health and welfare
• Drive innovation in the bioeconomy, digital agriculture, and food systems
• Promote healthy, sustainable food production and consumption
• Foster collaborative, multi and transdisciplinary research excellence
This research will have a significant impact on the sector, with benefits including:
• Enhanced climate resilience and sustainability
• Improved animal and plant health and welfare
• Increased digital innovation and data-driven decision-making
• Enhanced food safety and quality
• A more collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment
Collaboration and Partnerships
The call will continue the long-standing north-south collaboration in agri-food research and innovation, with the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) co-funding certain projects involving eligible institutions from Northern Ireland. Minister Grealish stated: “I particularly welcome the continued collaboration with Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, which enables important all-island research partnerships to flourish.”
This collaboration will be crucial in addressing some of the sector’s key challenges, such as climate change, sustainable agriculture, and food safety. By working together, researchers and stakeholders can share knowledge, expertise, and resources to drive innovation and progress in the sector.
Eligibility and Application Process
All applications must include a clear impact statement and a knowledge transfer plan to ensure the uptake and application of research results. The call is open to eligible institutions, including universities, research centers, and industry partners. The application process will involve the following steps:
1. Application Submission: The application must be submitted by the closing date, with all required documentation and information. 2. Review and Selection: The applications will be reviewed and selected by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. 3. Notification of Outcome: The successful applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application, with funding offered to those who meet the eligibility criteria. The call is now open for applications, and researchers and stakeholders are encouraged to submit their proposals to support the development of impactful research projects that deliver real-world benefits for the sector.
Conclusion
The Thematic Research Call 2025 represents a significant investment in Ireland’s sustainable food systems, with a focus on supporting impactful research proposals that address the sector’s current and emerging challenges and opportunities. By supporting cross-cutting research projects, the call aims to drive innovation and progress in the sector, with benefits including enhanced climate resilience, improved animal and plant health and welfare, and increased digital innovation and data-driven decision-making.
