Research plays an important role in generating evidence to inform the design and implementation of effective and robust environmental policy. Fast-Track to Policy Funding aims to deliver rapid-turn-around evidence reviews to address policy questions.
The EPA’s Research Framework, EPA Research 2030, is designed to be agile, responsive and flexible to support research projects that will provide timely evidence for policy- and decision-making. While most projects will be funded through the EPA’s annual competitive research call, it is recognised that environmental policy is rapidly developing with new and important issues emerging. Fast-Track to Policy Funding is employed to deliver short-term, evidence-based research studies (e.g., evidence synthesis, review of policies and best practices), where an urgent policy need is demonstrated.
Project proposals may be suggested by Departments and Agencies of the Government of Ireland and must be submitted using the template, which is available upon request from ftp@epa.ie. Project proposals will be required to demonstrate their suitability for inclusion in the scheme.
Fast-Track to Policy Funding will be issued to deliver selected research projects in line with public procurement guidelines. Project funding will be limited to supporting short-term, evidence-based research studies.
| Fast-track to Policy Funding | |
|---|---|
| Type of Project | Short-term evidence-based research study |
| Indicative Timeline | 3-9 months (maximum 12 months) |
| Indicative Budget | Up to €49,500 (excl. VAT) |
| Outputs | Short Summary Evidence Report, published by the EPA, and any other specific deliverables included in the request. |
| Project Title | Lead Researcher | Lead Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Optimising land use outcomes: the role of private finance |
Thomas Ball |
KPMG |
| Landowners’ behaviours & attitudes to incentives and interventions for multifunctional land use outcomes biodiversity, water, and air quality outcome | Tracy Bradfield | University College Cork |
| Role of public lands in delivering on the Government’s objective of improving socioeconomic, climate, biodiversity, water, and air quality outcomes | David Styles | University Of Galway |
| Development of Just Transition Indicators Framework to support measurement of progress towards a just climate transition | Andrew Kelly | EnvEcon Decision Support |
| Ireland’s Urban Bioeconomy – Opportunities for Climate Action | Sarah Zimmerman | Rediscovery Centre |
| EXAMINE NRMM (Exploration of Market surveillance and type approval of internal combustion engines emissions for non-road mobile machinery). | Aoife Donnelly | Technological University Dublin |
The following Fast-track to Policy projects have been completed and final reports are available.