Government launches bid to lure US researchers to Ireland

The Irish government is to appoint a team of “talent attachés” as part of its Global Talent Initiative to attract researchers from the United States and other countries to Irish universities.

The aim is to boost research in areas that reflect national policy priorities such as energy security, healthcare, life sciences, digital technologies and AI, food security, cybersecurity, semiconductors and quantum technologies.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless, who prioritises research, said that the United States is now “a cold place for free thinkers and talented researchers”.

“While it became a global leader in research after the Second World War, the last few months have undoubtedly changed how people view the US when it comes to research.

Ireland will be a host for the best and brightest fleeing the US university system,” said the minister, who has recently steered Ireland into the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, or CERN, and into the EU Quantum Technologies pact.

The Irish economy has been booming over the past few years largely because of multinational and especially American investment in pharmaceuticals, IT, medtech and other areas. Employment is heading towards a record 3 million at work while the jobless rate is just 4.1%.

Economic uncertainty

But the economic uncertainty caused by President Donald Trump’s tariffs has sent a frisson of apprehension through the multinationals, especially in the pharma sector, which is a major exporter to the US.

Industry sources say that a quarter of Ireland’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity could be lost over the next five years if the US president delivers on his determination to get drug companies to invest more at home.

Competition for talent

Ireland, which has a population of just 5 million, will be competing with other European Union countries for rising stars and experienced researchers; Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently announced €500 million (US$560 million) to make Europe a magnet for researchers.

The Irish government’s Global Talent Initiative, agreed by the Cabinet on 13 May, will provide salary funding and startup support for spin-out companies. The exact amount of money that will be expended on the programme is not yet clear.

Research funds

While the government’s decision has been welcomed, concerns have been raised about the scale of the finances needed for high-level research.

As Professor Des Fitzgerald from University College Cork told The Irish Times: “The main financial barrier for researchers coming to Ireland is the same as that for researchers who are already here, which is not salary; it is access to research funds.”

He argued that “simply adding more researchers to an already underfunded system is not going to help anyone”.

Dr Eemer Eivers, a research consultant at Dublin University, noted: “The fact that our government wants to cough up big bucks to attract American talent while letting local talent quit research due to financial hardship is insulting and shortsighted.”

An economics lecturer at the Technological University of Dublin, Dr Emma Howard, said that Irish universities are “just not attractive and competitive enough for top US academics to come and work here”.

But the minister has promised to unlock funds tied up in the National Training Fund (NTF), which is financed through a 1% training levy on employers. He said that the government has committed €1.485 (US$1.67) billion from the fund over six years to 2030, delivering a major boost for higher education, skills, and research.

“For the first time, NTF funding will cover new areas including capital investment, core higher education funding, and research support. This investment will deliver modern, world-class training facilities and ensure we are ready for the skills needs of the future. It's a critical step to secure Ireland’s workforce in a time of global challenges,” he said.

*The Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation at Cambridge University, Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, is to take over as CEO of a new agency, Research Ireland, in September.

Established last year, the agency, which has a budget of over €300 million, will promote excellence, diversity and engagement in research and innovation in Ireland. Previously, Dr O’Brien worked at Trinity College Dublin, where he was the university’s first innovation and enterprise officer.