Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, the Government is providing some €700 million to support research, technological development and innovation in the third level sector. The aim is to support the development of a world class research environment in higher education in Ireland through areas designed to help to improve the research skills and capacity of third level institutions, raise the quality of teaching and learning activities in the institutions, increase the availability of highly skilled researchers in the labour force and to provide greater scope for collaboration between education and other sectors of the economy in respect of research.
This investment builds on the first dedicated block of funding of €6.35 million which was introduced in 1998, of which €5.1 million was for the support of institutional strategic research. The programme for research in third level institutions is the main element of the RTDI and education measure provided for in the NDP. The programme's objective is to strengthen the long-term capacity of third level institutions for high quality research. The defining characteristic of PRTLI is support for institutions with strategically focused and managed research programmes. The emphasis of the PRTLI is on assisting the third level institutions – both individually and collectively – to enhance and develop their research capabilities. Proposals must satisfy demanding criteria in regard to research quality, support for learning and teaching at the institution and the contribution to realising the goals and objectives of the institution's long-term research strategy. Awards under the programme follow rigorous competitive processes involving the application of international standards.
