The EPA is seeking proposals from the research community to…
EPA Research Call 2023 is now open: up to €16 million is available to fund innovative environmental research projects
Effective management of the environment is increasingly science-driven. Through our research and development programme, the Environmental Protection Agency is generating the knowledge and expertise needed to protect and manage Ireland’s environment. The 2023 EPA Research Call is now open.
The EPA is at the front line of environmental protection and policing. As part of its wide range of functions the EPA manages an environmental research programme that delivers essential scientific support for environmental policy development, implementation and broader decision making.
Since 1994, the EPA has funded research that has increased national understanding of our environment, the challenges it faces and responses to these. EPA Research focuses on achieving environmental objectives, informing policy and bringing together researchers and research users. The EPA is responsible for coordinating environmental research in Ireland.
The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
EPA Research Call 2023 – Overview
Under the EPA Research Call 2023, up to €16m is available to fund innovative research projects that will support policy- and decision-making addressing environmental, climate change and sustainability challenges. Projects will be funded under broad themes and targeted topics to address policy needs and build capacity in relevant areas.
This year’s call invites applications under:
- 5 Themes to support innovative research to inform policy and build capacity in priority areas
- 22 Topics to address identified research and evidence needs to inform national policy
More information on the Themes and Topics is provided below and detailed in the call documentation.
Key dates for the call are:
- Call open for applications: 20 April 2023
- Information Webinar: 27 April 2023
- Applicant submission deadline 1 June 2023 (16:00 Irish standard time)
- Authorisation deadline: 8 June 2023 (16:00 Irish standard time)
Please review the information provided here and in the call documentation, and for any other queries, please contact research@epa.ie.
How to apply
All applications must be made using the EPA’s Online Grant Management and Application Portal (https://epa.smartsimple.ie) in advance of the deadline.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the following documentation in advance of preparing an application:
- EPA Research Call 2023 Technical Description
- 2023 EPA Research Call Guidelines and Terms and Conditions
- Call Evaluation Process
- EPA Research Programme Strategies and Policies
All documentation is also available through the EPA’s Online Grant Management and Application Portal, which also includes User Guides for the Portal.
Key dates
| Deadline Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Call launch | 20 April 2023 |
| Information webinar | 27 April 2023 |
| Technical queries deadline | 25 May 2023 (16:00, Irish standard time) |
| Submission deadline (applicants) | 1 June 2023 (16:00, Irish standard time) |
| Authorisation deadline (host organisations) | 8 June 2023 (16:00, Irish standard time) |
| Notification of outcomes | October – November 2023 |
| Awards issued | November – December 2023 |
| Projects Commence | By 31 March 2024 |
Themes
Under this year’s call, five themes will support innovative research to inform policy and build capacity in current and emerging priority areas. All projects supported under the themes have a maximum duration of 4 years and maximum available budget of €600k.
Applications are invited under the following themes:
- Addressing the Societal Dimension of Environmental Challenges
- Harnessing Data and Digitalisation for the Environment
- Nature Based Solutions: Delivering Co-benefits for the Environment and Society
- Advancing Climate Science for Ireland
- Climate Adaptation: Planning for an uncertain future
Applicants should review the detailed background and scope for each theme available in the Call Technical Description Document.
Applicants are advised that they must select the correct Call Topic Identifier, as listed in the Technical Description Document, for their submission to be considered eligible.
Topics
The EPA Research Call 2023 includes 22 topics to address identified research and evidence needs to inform, develop and implement national policy.
The topics are summarised below. Applicants should review the detailed background, scope and scale for each topic available in the Call Technical Description Document. Applicants are advised that they must select the correct Call Topic Identifier, as listed in the Technical Description Document, for their submission to be considered eligible.
Addressing Climate Change Evidence Needs
| Topic Title | Project Type | Max. funding available |
|---|---|---|
| Developing groundwater recharge estimates for future climate change scenarios | Medium Scale Project | €300,000 |
| Historic emissions of greenhouse gases in Ireland from pre-industrial to present day | Medium Scale Project | €300,000 |
| Quantifying air quality co-benefits from climate change policy | Desk Study | €150,000 |
| Developing future socio-economic scenarios for Ireland and testing the resilience of those scenarios | Medium Scale Project | €600,000 |
Facilitating a Green and Circular Economy
| Topic Title | Project Type | Max. funding available |
|---|---|---|
| Barriers and enablers to Ireland’s transition to the circular economy – carbon-intensive materials and waste streams | Medium Scale Project | €450,000 |
| Enhancing the circular economy approach to tourism in Ireland | Medium Scale Project | €450,000 |
| Exploring sustainable uses for end-of-life tyres | Desk Study | €150,000 |
| Developing options to investigate levels of natural radioactivity in building materials in Ireland | Medium Scale Project | €300,000 |
| Investigating regulatory barriers and enablers to the development of Ireland’s Bioeconomy | Medium Scale Project | €300,000 |
| Evaluating the impacts of national end-of-waste and by-product decisions for construction-based materials | Desk Study | €150,000 |
Delivering a Healthy Environment
| Project Title | Project Type | Max. funding available |
|---|---|---|
| Review sources of non-methane volatile organic compound (NMVOC) emissions in Ireland and assess mitigation options | Desk Study | €150,000 |
| Assessment of air pollutant emissions from residential solid fuel burning in Ireland | Medium Scale Project | €450,000 |
| Cost benefits of improving raw water quality in the catchment, versus treatment costs at the drinking water supply | Desk Study | €150,000 |
| Emerging novel toxins in the Irish marine environment – characterising algal species and their potential impacts, due to climate change and other vectors, on human health | Medium Scale Project | €450,000 |
| Gamma Radiation Dose Evaluation (GRaDE): Terrestrial gamma dose evaluation for the Irish population | Medium Scale Project | €600,000 |
| Remediation of faulty septic tanks and risk communication | Desk Study | €150,000 |
| Source apportionment of PM2.5 in ambient air | Medium Scale Project | €450,000 |
Protecting and Restoring our Natural Environment
| Project Title | Project Type | Max. funding available |
|---|---|---|
| Lake water level fluctuations, ecology and hydrology interactions | Medium Scale Project | €450,000 |
| Quantification of the benefits of SEA using examples from Ireland | Desk Study | €150,000 |
| Developing the evidence base for land use review | Desk Study (up to 3) | €150,000 (€450,000) |
| Ecological response to altered flow regimes in modified channels | Medium Scale Project | €600,000 |
| Carbon and Catchments | Medium Scale Project | €600,000 |
Webinar and FAQs
An online information webinar will take place on 27 April at 10 a.m. This will include an overview of the call, how to apply, financial rules and eligibility and will also include an opportunity for Q&A. The webinar will be recorded and made available for the duration of the application period.
Please register to attend the webinar here.
Frequently asked questions on the EPA Research Call are available on our website and will be updated throughout the application period.
For any other queries, please contact research@epa.ie.
Further information on EPA Research
As part of its wide range of functions the EPA manages an environmental research programme that delivers essential scientific support for environmental policy development, implementation and broader decision making. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. A ten-year high-level framework (2021-2030), EPA Research 2030, has been designed to ensure that EPA’s research programming is agile, responsive and flexible.
The scope of EPA-funded research is informed by its relevance to policy and its alignment with the key activities of the EPA. EPA Research 2030 comprises four interconnected hubs that bring an integrated and cross-sectoral approach, enabling holistic management and protection of our environment:
- Addressing Climate Change Evidence Needs
- Facilitating a Green and Circular Economy
- Delivering a Healthy Environment
- Protecting and Restoring our Natural Environment
Details on EPA Research 2030, its hubs and all other aspects of the EPA Research Programme can be found on the Research section of the website.
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