Physiology and Basic Research Funding in Ireland

Physiology in Ireland

Ireland is world leading in science, research and development, including the physiological sciences. Physiology expertise in Ireland ranges from respiratory physiology, oncology and neuroscience through to sport and exercise science.

Physiology related courses in Ireland provide students with real-world experience by equipping students with the practical and experimental techniques required for successful careers. Graduates of physiology in Ireland enter a broad range of career paths from medicine and allied health professions such as physiotherapy and pharmacy to biomedical research both in industry and academia.

Basic Research and the R&D Landscape

Basic research, also known as fundamental research, is experimental or theoretical work undertaken to further scientific knowledge without any targeted benefit of application in view. Applied research (problem-solving or mission-based research) aims to solve specific problems and thus, has immediate practical applications.

The Irish government has recently published Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy. In addition to outlining a mission-based approach to the government’s investment in R&D, it also proposes the merger of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council, which has raised concerns about the future funding of basic research. Current government spending on basic research (GERD) in Ireland remains low relative to international comparisons and expenditure on applied research.

Further, while the Irish economy has seen a tremendous growth over the past few years, the overall investment in R&D has not been made at the same rate. Ireland has achieved limited progress towards the Innovation 2020 report’s research intensity rate target of 2.5% of GNP, which rose from 1.55% in 2015 to an estimated 1.63% in 2020.

Since basic research provides the foundation required for mission-led R&D and is vital to the success of the National Grand Challenges Programme in Ireland, it is important that basic research is at the core of any government strategy to increase R&D spending.

Our asks:

1. The Irish Government should commit to meeting its target of 2.5% of GNI* spend on R&D by 2025, five years earlier than its current stated ambition.
2. As a thriving R&D sector becomes increasingly important to economic growth, jobs and meeting the challenges of the future, Ireland should have the long-term ambition of matching the OECD average R&D spend.
3. The Irish Government should put basic research funding at the heart of meeting the key national challenges and opportunities and the National Grand Challenges Programme, both identified in Impact 2030.
4. TDs and Senators should visit their local research institution to see first-hand the work of physiologists.