Higher Education Authority an tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas HEA

Launched in 1998, the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) has invested €865 million ( includes exchequer and private matching funds) to date into strengthening national research capabilities via investment in human and physical infrastructure. Based over four cycles, the ultimate aim of the programme is to propel Ireland toward establishing an international profile as a premier location for carrying out world class research and development.

PRTLI provides integrated financial support for institutional strategies, programmes and infrastructure in key areas of research spread across all disciplines. The programme supports research in humanities, science, technology and the social sciences, including business and law.

Head of Research Programmes and Capital Programmes HEA, Dr. Eucharia Meehan, Minister of State for Science and Innovation, Dr. Jimmy Devins T.D., Minister of Education and Science, Batt O'Keefe, T.D. and Chairman of the HEA, Micheal Kelly - at the recent launch of Transformations - How Research is Changing Ireland, the book and exhibition marking the ten year celebration of PRTLI.

Buy A Copy of Transformations - How Research is Changing Ireland

The objectives of the programme are:.

1. To enable a strategic and planned approach by third-level institutions to the long-term development of their research capabilities, consistent with their existing and developing research strengths and capabilities and national goals.
2. To promote the development of high quality research capabilities in third-level institutions, so as to enhance the quality and relevance of graduate output and skills.
3. Within the framework of these objectives, to provide support for outstandingly talented individual researchers and teams within institutions and the encouragement of co-operation between researchers both within the institutions and between institutions  having particular regard to the desirability of encouraging inter-institutional co-operation within the two parts of the binary system and within Ireland, the EU and internationally.

The PRTLI awards are evaluated by an international panel of distinguished researchers and scholars on the basis of excellence in:

• Strategic planning and focus
• Inter-institutional collaboration
• Research quality
• Impact of research on teaching and learning

For a list of all programmes funded under the PRTLI, click on our interactive map. Below is a breakdown of funding across the four cycles of PRTLI. The figures include exchequer and private funding totals.