Friday, April 4th, 2025: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, and Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, have announced a €6.5 million investment in 40 projects designed to enhance public engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The Research Ireland Discover Programme focusses on creating meaningful public engagement with STEM, emphasising collaboration with communities. The programme seeks to drive innovation in STEM education and public engagement, contributing to Ireland’s industry, enterprise, and societal progress.
Announcing the funding, Minister Lawless highlighted the importance of the initiatives: “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.”
Welcoming her department’s co-funding of eight Discover projects, Minister for Education and Youth McEntee said: “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 at Research Ireland, welcomed the announcement, stating: “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.”
NCI's Early Learning Initiative (ELI) and School of Computing combine research and practice in Progressing STEM Family Learning in the Community. Programmes include STEM Play & Learn, six-week home visiting programme for 4–6-year-olds; weekly Coding Clubs for 7–12-year-olds; a Senior Coding Club for 13–16-year-olds, and STEM Events which embrace marginalised families.
Building on 2024, this year, 5 in-depth case studies focus on understanding families’ long-term engagement in STEM programmes through a social network analysis with qualitative examination of network structures, processes, and culture. Findings will foster a stronger culture of engagement and inform future innovative STEM initiatives. In funding this project, Research Ireland sustains the STEM engagement of children in Dublin's NEIC; their skill development and positive identities, despite living in Ireland’s most disadvantaged community, impacted greatly by educational inequality, inter-generational poverty, homelessness, immigration, and violence. This project aligns with Ireland’s STEM policy statement that Ireland will be internationally recognised as providing the highest quality STEM education experience for learners that nurtures curiosity, inquiry, problem-solving, creativity, ethical behaviour, confidence, and persistence, along with the excitement of collaborative innovation.
Among the other projects supported through the research Ireland Discover Programme are:
• All-Ireland STEM Passport for Inclusion 2025-2027, which partners with universities and industry to support 5,350 students through university-accredited qualifications, industry mentoring, and industry work experience to explore STEM education and employment opportunities.
• A Brush with Climate, which develops workshops and training material which empowers hairdressers to steer conversations toward climate action, using small talk as a tool for change.
• Rooted: Building Connections to Nature in our Communities through Theatre, which brings together scientists, dancers, theatre-makers, students, and rural communities through public performances, expert talks, and an evening-length dance theatre production to explore our connection to nature and inspire action against the climate crisis.
• Inclusive Artificial Intelligence for the next generation of innovators. The goal of this project is to embed AI knowledge and skills in the learning approach of schools and youth services. It is inclusion focused and aims to enhance the capacity of teachers and youth workers to support young people in marginalised communities, raise their awareness of AI, develop an understanding of AI skills, spark further learning and career pathways to address diversity gaps in AI development.
National College of Ireland proudly joins a prestigious list of institutions and organisations involved in projects that earned funding: Maynooth University, Trinity College Dublin, Kinia, University of Galway, Teen-Turn, University College Dublin, Munster Technological University, University of Limerick, Dublin City University, National Concert Hall, Cork City Council, Technological University Dublin, National Youth Council of Ireland and Teagasc.