EPA announces funding of €10.5m for new environmental and climate research
Date released: April 01, 2026
- The EPA announces funding of €10.5m for new environmental and climate research inviting innovative solutions to address medium- to longer-term environmental research needs.
- Research proposals are invited for research across the following areas:
- Addressing Climate Change Evidence Needs
- Delivering a Healthy Environment
- Facilitating a Green and Circular Economy
- Protecting and Restoring our Natural Environment
- Policy Implementation, Effective Regulation and Innovative Governance Models
- Successful researchers will be supported by EPA to engage with policy makers to ensure that the research is impactful and effectively informs environmental policy in Ireland.
April 2, 2026: Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces research funding of up to €10.5 million for new environmental research. The EPA is inviting proposals from the research community for innovative projects to support the development and implementation of environmental policies in Ireland. In particular, multi- and trans-disciplinary teams are welcomed to bring diverse perspectives to complex environmental challenges.
Announcing the EPA funding call, Roni Hawe, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment said:
“The launch of the EPA Research Call 2026 marks a significant opportunity for the research community to contribute to addressing Ireland’s most pressing environmental challenges. This investment will support the generation of robust evidence needed for good policy and for more efficient and effective decision-making, as well as building skills and expertise in critical areas related to climate, the environment and sustainability.”
Opportunities for research are identified in areas such as how to bring mitigation and adaptation together to support Ireland achieving its climate and environmental goals; understanding antimicrobial resistance in the environment; how to accelerate our transition to a circular economy and how we can protect the environment while accelerating infrastructure and simplifying environmental regulation.
Dr Caroline Wynne, EPA Research Manager, said:
“This year, we are pleased to invite proposals for larger scale projects that will allow researchers to develop new and innovative solutions as well as supporting the recruitment and training of highly skilled PhD students. We are particularly interested in supporting a wide cohort of the research community to bring social, economic and environmental perspectives together, which is essential to address complex societal challenges.”
The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment. Under this year’s call, the EPA is delighted to be partnering with Met Éireann to co-fund projects in areas of mutual interest.
The deadline for proposals is 28 May 2026.
ENDS
Contact: Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office, 053-9170770 (24 hours) or media@epa.ie.
Notes to Editor
As part of its wide range of functions, the EPA manages a research programme that delivers essential scientific support for environmental policy development, implementation and broader decision making. The EPA has been funding research in Ireland since 1994 and is currently funding more than 200 on-going research projects. Further details about the EPA Research Programme are on the EPA website.
Supporting environmental policies: The Research Call is designed to support the implementation of environmental policies in Ireland including: the Climate Action Plan; National Climate Adaptation Framework; Circular Economy Action Plans and Strategies; the National Biodiversity Action Plan; National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance; UN Sustainable Development Goals’ Implementation Plan; as well as policies in the water and air protection areas.
Research applications: EPA Research Calls are open to all types of organisations within Ireland. To apply for EPA funding, you must be registered on the EPA’s online Grant Application and Project Management system. Research Proposals must be submitted in response to one of the themes included in the Call Documentation. Further details about the 2026 EPA Research Call are available on the EPA website.
The call timeframe is outlined below:
- Call opening: 2 April 2026
- Call submission deadline: 28 May 2026 (16:00, Irish Standard Time)
- November/December 2026: award of new projects
- February 2027: Publication of the 2026 awards
- Queries relating to the call: research@epa.ie
Further funding: Other EPA funding opportunities this year include EPA Fast-track to Policy Funding; Fulbright-EPA Scholarships and Fellowships; the Research Ireland Public Service Fellowship, as well as opportunities supported through EPA’s participation in European Partnerships. Details are available on our Research Funding webpage.