About TU RISE
Enhancing research and innovation offices in Technological Universities (TUs) to strengthen engagement with regional enterprises and community stakeholders while advancing Ireland’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3). This initiative builds structured connections across disciplines and campuses, fostering greater collaboration and impact.
Through staff development and increased researcher capacity, TU RISE supports research-led teaching excellence at all levels, expands research fields, and boosts TUs’ ability to meet national and regional strategic goals. The scheme ensures benefits are cascaded across faculties and campuses, driving innovation and regional development.
Intermediate Body:
The HEA leads the strategic development of the Irish higher education and research system with the objective of creating a coherent system of diverse institutions with distinct missions, which is responsive to the social, cultural and economic development of Ireland and its people and supports the achievement of national objectives.
The Higher Education Authority announced a call for applications under the TU Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise (TU RISE) scheme on 6th July 2023. Under TU RISE, €83.68m will be made available to higher education institutions in the technological sector to support research capacity building with a focus on enhancing engagement with regional enterprises. TU RISE is co-financed by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27.
Applications must be submitted within the specified deadlines for consideration.
Scope:
TU RISE will enhance central research functions within the technological university sector to strengthen institutions’ engagements with their regions. The scheme focuses on building research capacity and fostering deeper collaboration between universities and their regional partners.
Specific Objective:
Total Amount of Support:
TU RISE will provide €83.68 million in funding over four years (2023-2027) through two regional programmes. Of this, €63.68 million is available under the Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme.
Eligibility of Applications:
Institutions eligible to apply for funding under the Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme (€63.68 million) include Munster Technological University (Southern Region), Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (Eastern and Midland Region, Southern Region), South East Technological University (Southern Region), Technological University Dublin (Eastern and Midland Region), Dundalk Institute of Technology (Eastern and Midland Region), and Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (Eastern and Midland Region).
Call Documentation:
The objectives of the TU RISE scheme, Performance Indicators, application and assessment process, and grant funding principles are outlined in the TU RISE call document. Applicants are required to address project relevance, design, efficiency, effectiveness, as well as project governance and financial oversight. A project budget setting out the proposed funding required is also necessary.
Application Process:
Applications for funding under TU RISE should be made using the TU RISE application template. Both the call document and the application template can be viewed on the HEA website by clicking on this link.
Call Start/ End Dates:
The call start date is 6th July 2023. Completed application forms must be submitted to systemperformance@hea.ie by 14th September 2023 at 17:00. Applications will not be assessed if received late or if they are not eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions:
All queries will be addressed through an FAQ process. Queries may be submitted to systemperformance@hea.ie on 7th September 2023 at 17:00. FAQs will be made available through this webpage.
More Information:
For information on the Higher Education Authority website.
TU RISE
Co-funded Projects
See a list of projects funded