EPA Research Call 2026

The EPA Research Call 2026 is now open for applications, with €10.5m in research funding available to support innovative solutions to address medium- to longer-term environmental research needs. The EPA are delighted to be partnering with Met Éireann to co-fund projects in areas of mutual interest.

Overview

The EPA Research Call 2026 invites applications under 9 open themes addressing identified policy and evidence needs with projects ranging in duration from 24 to 48 months. A list of these themes is provided below and detailed information is available in the call documentation. 

Key dates for the call are:

• Call open for applications: 02 April 2026, at 12 p.m.
• Information Webinar: 16 April 2026 at 10 a.m.
• Technical Query deadline: 25 May 2026
• Applicant submission deadline: 28 May 2026, 16:00 (Irish standard time)
• Authorisation deadline: 04 June 2026, 16:00 (Irish standard time).

Applicants should review the information provided here and in the call documentation. 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 2026 Technical Description
• EPA Research Call Guidelines and Terms and Conditions
• EPA Research 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. 

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Key dates

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Scope of Call

Applicants may apply under 9 Themes addressing identified policy and evidence needs with projects ranging in duration from 24 to 48 months. A list of the Themes for each of the EPA Research Hubs is provided below. Applicants are advised to carefully review the Technical Description Document for detailed information on the background, scope and expected outputs.

• Cross-cutting Theme (1 Theme)
• Addressing Climate Change Evidence Needs (2 Themes)
• Delivering a Healthy Environment (2 Themes)
• Facilitating a Green and Circular Economy (2 Themes)
• Protecting and Restoring our Natural Environment (2 Themes)

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Cross-cutting Theme

Please note that while proposals under this Theme may cross-cut any area(s) relevant to the EPA Research Programme, submissions on our Grants Management System will be made under the “Addressing Climate Change Evidence Needs” Research Hub using the relevant Call Topic Reference, specified in the Technical Description Document.

Addressing Climate Change Evidence Needs

Delivering a Healthy Environment

Facilitating a Green and Circular Economy

Protecting and Restoring our Natural Environment

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Co-funding partnerships

The EPA is pleased to announce that the EPA Research Call 2026 involves a partnership with Met Éireann, who may provide co-funding for any proposals selected for funding that are aligned with their research priorities.

Met Éireann’s mission is to monitor, analyse and predict Ireland's weather and climate and to provide a range of high quality meteorological and related information. As Ireland’s National Meteorological Service, Met Éireann is maintained by the State under the UN Convention of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). It is the public service scientific organisation responsible to the Irish State for the collection and production of high-quality meteorological data; the communication of authoritative weather and climate services to protect life and property, and to promote wider societal and economic wellbeing; conducting research into weather and climate, to inform decision-making; and representing Ireland to the WMO, ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) and EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites). (www.met.ie)

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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 Climate, Energy and the Environment. 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.

Information on current and completed research projects being supported by the EPA Research Programme is available on the EPA Research Project Database. Research Reports for all completed projects are also available on our website.

For any other queries, please contact research@epa.ie.

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