The Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) was launched in 1998, with five cycles of expenditure to date. The PRTLI supports the provision of top-class research infrastructure (buildings, laboratories and cutting edge equipment) as well as human capital development, through Structured PhD/Emergent Technology programmes across Ireland’s Higher Education Institutes (HEIs).
The Programme is designed to facilitate Ireland’s HEIs to produce world class research in key strategic areas, including but not limited to bioscience/biomedical; medical technologies; energy, environment and marine; food and drink; social sciences and humanities; ICT and advanced communications; and platform technologies and materials.
The total funding allocated by Government to PRTLI for each of the years 2010 to 2016 is set out in Table A.
Table A - PRTLI funding 2010-2016
Year
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
€m
|
49.9
|
57.9
|
54.7
|
45.2
|
39
|
55.5
|
10.4
|
My Department is using the PRTLI allocation to meet remaining liabilities from Cycle 5 of PRTLI. The funding allocation for 2017 is €14.2m.
The planning and design of a successor to Cycle 5 of PRTLI is a commitment in Innovation 2020 and is being progressed by my Department working with the Department of Education and Skills.