Global Talent Ireland 2025 International Research Opportunity (Fully Funded)

Global Talent Ireland 2025 is a new government‑backed initiative aimed at attracting world‑class researchers to Irish universities and research centers. Launched in July 2025, the program is designed for mid‑career and senior researchers with proven expertise who want to lead ambitious projects in Ireland. Its goal is to position Ireland as a leading global research hub by funding innovative projects across key fields, including the sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences, energy, health, and advanced technologies. This opportunity is ideal for experienced academics or industry leaders seeking long‑term research opportunities, international collaboration, and strong institutional support.

Eligibility

General Requirements

• Open to international and Irish researchers.
• Must be mid‑career or senior level with proven leadership in their field.
• Must secure support from an eligible host institution in Ireland (university, research center, etc.).
• Research must align with Ireland’s national research priorities.

Applicants applying to the Global Talent Ireland call as Rising Stars are required to: 

• Have obtained a PhD qualification (or equivalent for) within 5-15 years of the current year (PhD certification must be dated between 2010 and 2020)
• Have an outstanding track record commensurate with their career stage and their field(s) of research • Have secured independent research funding from competitive publicly funded sources as a Lead Investigator or Co-Investigator
• Have experience of supervising MSc- and/or PhD-level students
• Have demonstrated international standing (e.g., peer review, keynote talks, collaboration, conference and workshop organisation, etc.) as an indicator of research maturity

Research Leaders Applicants applying to the Global Talent Ireland call as Research Leaders are required to: 

• Have obtained a PhD qualification (or equivalent for ) at least 16 years prior to the current year (PhD certification must be dated no later than 2009)
• Hold a full professorial position at a major international research institution or an equivalent senior research-active role in an industrial setting
• Demonstrate influential research (achievements and excellent generation of knowledge)

Program Dates

• Expression of Interest deadline (Application Deadline): 28 August 2025
• Full proposal deadline: October 2025
• Funding start: Early 2026
• Duration of Funding (and research): 6 years

Program Coverage

• Competitive salary support (for the researcher and team members).
• Funding for equipment, lab space, and infrastructure.
• Budget for travel, administration, and overheads.
• Approx. €8 million annually, funding ~15 researchers per year.

Program Themes

Projects should address Ireland’s strategic research areas, for example:

• Energy & sustainability (renewables, energy security)
• Healthcare & life sciences
• Digital technologies (AI, quantum, semiconductors, cybersecurity)
• Food security & agriculture
• Other nationally prioritized societal challenges.

Global Talent Ireland 2025 offers two main award types:

• Rising Star Award: For early to mid‑career researchers with strong potential to become future leaders. It supports setting up independent research groups.
• Established Leader Award: For mid‑career and senior researchers with proven leadership and impact, offering larger funding to lead major research programs.

Required Documents

(Exact templates will be provided by the program portal, but generally you’ll need):

• Expression of Interest form (with project summary).
• Full research proposal (if shortlisted).
• Updated CV with publication list and leadership experience.
• Support letter from an Irish host institution.
• Budget plan and alignment with program themes.

Application Process

1. Find a host institution in Ireland willing to support your project.
2. Prepare and submit Expression of Interest by 28 August 2025 via email to globaltalent@researchireland.ie.
   1. Every applicant must fill out their own separate Expression of Interest (EoI) form—one per person.
   2. Each EoI must be signed by someone from the host institution’s Research Office (the official research administration team/the host institution you founded).
   3. The Research Office should send all the EoIs from their institution together in one single email.
   4. However, each applicant’s EoI must be attached as an individual file in that email — don’t combine or merge multiple EoIs into one file.
3. If your EoI is successful, you will be invited to submit a Full Proposal through SESAME, Research Ireland's online grants management system. Access to SESAME is coordinated by the research office of your host institution. They will provide you with the necessary access and guidance for submitting your full proposal
4. Proposals are evaluated on excellence, impact, and alignment with themes.
5. Successful applicants receive offers and begin arrangements for relocation and project start.

You will find in depth details here and on the official website provided down below.