SFI National Challenge Fund - Call Open
The National Challenge Fund provides ambitious researchers the chance to make a difference by developing solutions to key challenges in the areas of Green Transition and Digital Transformation.
The National Challenge Fund is a €65M research fund that consists of eight challenges. In total, it aims to fund approximately 90 research teams with up to €250k over 18 months to develop their ideas. Under each challenge stream, a number of teams will then be awarded follow-on funding of up to €500k before going on to compete for prizes between €1-€2m.
The first teams funded under the National Challenge Fund have begun their work. The Future Food Systems Challenge and the Sustainable Communities Challenge are open for applications until 26th May 2023.
Challenge Funding is a solution-focused approach to research funding that uses prizes, phases, defined timelines, teamwork, mentorship, and competition to direct research activity towards addressing pressing societal and economic problems.
The National Challenge Fund encourages collaboration between government departments, agencies, enterprise, the academic research community, and societal stakeholders to identify challenges and enable action to address green transition and digitalisation targets set at government level. These partnerships will inform the expected outputs and outcomes to ensure that they are meaningful and relevant to the end user.
It is expected that solutions are inclusive, equitable and sustainable and adhere to the principles of responsible research and innovation.
A National Challenge Fund information webinar will take place on 4th May for potential applicants to ask questions.
The National Challenge Fund was established under the Government’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), funded by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. The fund is coordinated and administered by Science Foundation Ireland.
