Overview

New Foundations is a key driver in progressing our strategic priorities by enabling awardees to pursue research, networking or dissemination activities within and across the diversity of disciplines.

The scheme provides support for:

• research actions;
• the development of networks and consortia;
• conference and workshop development; and
• capacity building for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Through partnerships with researchers, diverse community organisations can bring new evidence and insights to enhance their services and impact for those that need them. The scheme also includes strands supported by government departments and agencies. In each of the past three years, a dedicated strand of the call has provided opportunities for researchers to work on important areas of policy, including global development, crime, creativity and children.

The 2024 New Foundations call is currently set to open on the 9^th of May 2024. The associated documents will be available in the coming weeks.

We are delighted to announce that we will once again be offering strands 1a, 4, 4b, 10 and 15. We are also introducing two new strands; 1c and 17. Please see below for more detail.

The New Foundations 2024 scheme supports eligible researchers who intend to pursue research, networking and/or dissemination activities within and across a diversity of disciplines. Eligible applicants must, on the call deadline of 20 June 2024, hold a contract of sufficient duration with an eligible HEI or a recognised RPO to carry out the proposed research from the project start date (Q4 2024) until the project end date.

While postgraduate scholars are not eligible to apply to the strands that will run in New Foundations 2024, their involvement in the proposed projects is encouraged.

Please see details of the strands to be opened and important dates for the 2024 New Foundations call below:

New Foundations 2024 Strands

• Strand 1a: Enhancing Civic Society within a national context (max €12,000 and open to all disciplines)
• Strand 1c: Interdisciplinary Research Networking Awards (max €10,000)
• Strand 4: ‘A Better World’ New Foundations Awards in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs (Irish Aid) (max €10,000)
• Strand 4b: Education for Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development New Foundations Awards, in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs (Irish Aid), the Department of Education and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (max €10,000)
• Strand 10: Exploring Policing and Community Safety New Foundations Award, in partnership with the Policing Authority (max €20,000)
• Strand 15: ‘Social Enterprise Impact and Skill requirements’ New Foundations Award in partnership with the Department of Rural and Community Development (max €20,000)
• Strand 17: The Heritage Council New Foundations Award (€10,000)

Additional strands may be included in the Call.

Key dates

Please note that as per last year, the call will run on the SmartSimple portal. It is a requirement of the scheme that all applications be endorsed on the online system by the Research Office deadline of 27 June 2024 at 4pm. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at newfoundations@research.ie