SciFest Awarded Funding Through Research Ireland’s Discover Programme
SciFest is delighted to announce that it is one of the initiatives selected to receive funding from the Research Ireland Discover Programme.
On Friday, 4 April 2025, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, and the Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, announced a €6.5 million investment in 40 projects aimed at enhancing public engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The Discover Programme focuses on creating meaningful and inclusive public engagement with STEM, placing a strong emphasis on collaboration with communities. Its goal is to drive innovation in STEM education and communication, contributing to Ireland’s social and economic development.
Minister Lawless highlighted the value of the funded projects:
“These Discover-funded projects are crucial for triggering curiosity and encouraging greater participation in STEM across all education levels and within our communities. In particular, this investment will help foster a deeper understanding of STEM among underrepresented voices and inspire many of them to potentially become more involved in studies and careers in these fields. This will empower future generations to tackle societal challenges and share innovative solutions.”
Minister McEntee, whose department is co-funding eight of the selected projects, added:
“Advancing a greater awareness and appreciation of STEM among our communities can play an instrumental role in inspiring students of all ages. STEM stretches far beyond the classroom and lecture halls, and the projects we are supporting will help thread theories through to real-world application and relevance. The Department of Education is proud to partner again with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science through this Research Ireland Discover Programme.”
Celine Fitzgerald, Interim CEO of Research Ireland, also welcomed the announcement:
“The Research Ireland Discover Programme is a cornerstone of our education and public engagement strategy. We are so pleased to be supporting these 40 projects and look forward to seeing them strengthen STEM engagement across Ireland and encourage more inclusive participation in shaping the future of science and innovation in Ireland.”
Sheila Porter, SciFest Founder and CEO, said:
"We are honoured to receive funding from Research Ireland’s Discover Programme. This support will enable us to continue expanding access to meaningful STEM experiences for students in schools across the country. At SciFest, we are committed to making STEM inclusive, engaging, and empowering for all young people, and this investment will help us reach even more communities."
SciFest is proud to be among the organisations recognised for their commitment to widening access to STEM. This funding will help SciFest to continue to provide engaging, inclusive, and accessible STEM experiences to students across Ireland, empowering the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
For more information on the Research Ireland Discover Programme click here.