Research Ireland Enterprise Fellowships 2025/26

Omran Aburayya
May 4
3 min read

If you're a late-stage PhD student, postdoctoral researcher, or faculty member eager to bridge the gap between academia and industry, the 2025 Research Ireland Enterprise Fellowships offer a unique opportunity to engage in impactful research collaborations. With applications now open, this program is designed to foster innovation through two distinct streams, providing flexibility and support tailored to your career stage and research ambitions.

🎓 Fellowship Summary

Location: Ireland (with potential for international industry placements)
Host Institution: Eligible higher education institutions in Ireland or partnering enterprises
Academic Level: Late-stage PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty members
Target Group: Researchers across all disciplines seeking industry collaboration
Fields of Research: Open to all disciplines
Award Value and Coverage:
- Stipend: €22,000 per annum
- Tuition Fees: Up to €5,750 per annum (including non-EU fees)
- Research Expenses: €3,250 per annum
Award Duration:
- Placement Stream: 1 to 24 months (full-time or part-time)
- Partnership Stream: 12 or 24 months (full-time only)
Application Deadline: July 15, 2025
Start Date: September 1, 2025, or March 1, 2026
Eligible Applicants: Researchers from any country.

🧭 Fellowship Overview

The Research Ireland Enterprise Fellowships amalgamate the former SFI Industry RD&I Fellowship and IRC Enterprise Partnership Scheme into a cohesive program aimed at enhancing collaboration between academia and industry. Applicants can choose between two streams:

🔹 Placement Stream

Eligibility: Faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, and late-stage PhD students
Structure: Fellows are embedded within an industry or enterprise setting, potentially anywhere globally
Duration: 1 to 24 months (full-time or part-time)
Objective: To drive innovation from within the enterprise by applying academic expertise to real-world challenges

🔹 Partnership Stream

Eligibility: Postdoctoral researchers and late-stage PhD students
Structure: Fellows are based at an Irish higher education institution, collaborating closely with an enterprise partner
Duration: 12 or 24 months (full-time only)
Objective: To conduct academic research with direct relevance and application to industry needs

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

Financial Support:
- Annual stipend of €22,000
- Tuition fee contribution up to €5,750 per annum
- Research expenses of €3,250 per annum
Professional Development:
- Hands-on experience in industry-relevant research
- Networking opportunities with academic and industry professionals
- Enhanced career prospects in both academic and non-academic sectors.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Academic Qualifications:
- Late-stage PhD students (approaching thesis completion)
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Faculty members (Placement Stream only)
Discipline: Open to all academic disciplines
Nationality: Researchers from any country are welcome to apply
Enterprise Partner: Must collaborate with an enterprise partner, which can be a multinational corporation, SME, NGO, or public sector agency.

📝 Application Procedure

Choose a Stream: Decide between the Placement or Partnership Stream based on your career stage and research goals.
Identify an Enterprise Partner: Secure a commitment from an enterprise willing to collaborate on your proposed research project.
Prepare Application Materials:
- Research proposal outlining objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letters of support from your academic institution and enterprise partner
- Proof of academic qualifications
Submit Application: Applications must be submitted through the Research Ireland online grants management system by July 15, 2025.
Await Outcome: Successful applicants will be notified by November 2025.