UL researchers awarded funding for 'enterprise engaged' projects

Two University of Limerick researchers have been awarded funding to explore research beyond the campus.

Dr Vo Van De, School of Education and Dr Kwadwo Asare Owusu, Department of Chemical Sciences, have received funding totalling almost €190,000 under the Research Ireland Enterprise Fellowship programme.

This co-funded programme enables researchers to gain experience beyond academic settings through defined research collaborations, while providing enterprise partners with access to academic knowledge and skills relevant to their interests. 

Nationally, 46 fellowships valued at €4.4 million are being supported across all disciplines under the programme.

The fellowship programme is divided under a ‘placement stream’, which supports academic researchers wishing to spend time in the industry, and a ‘partnership stream’, which supports academics intending to pursue research while partnering with the enterprise sector. 

Dr Kwadwo Asare Owusu was awarded €93,656 in funding under the placement stream and will work with Analog Devices Inc to improve nitride deposition for next-generation semiconductor integration.

Dr Vo Van De was awarded €94,883 in funding under the partnership stream and will work with Eli Lilly & Co to co-design interactive simulations that support inclusive, inquiry-based STEAM education in post-primary schools.

Announcing the awards Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, said:  “The high level of participation in the Research Ireland Enterprise Fellowship programme illustrates a strong appetite across disciplines and sectors for meaningful collaboration between academia and enterprise. 

"This investment supports the mobility and development of research talent by giving researchers experience across both academic and enterprise settings and enabling the flow of knowledge and skills in both directions.

“Through these awards, we are supporting the development of solutions to real-world challenges while strengthening connections across Ireland’s research and innovation ecosystem. This is delivering on our recently launched strategy’s ambition to grow Ireland’s talent base, economy, and society.” 

Forty distinct enterprise partners are supporting this year’s awardees, and span small, medium and large enterprises, both indigenous and international, as well as not-for-profit bodies and charities.

Further information on all the awardees is available here.