€20 million call for energy research and innovation projects

The Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) has announced a new round of Government of Ireland funding of €20 million to support energy research and innovation under its 2026 National Energy Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D) Funding Programme and Energise Fellowship Programme.

The RD&D call welcomes innovative energy research proposals that will help accelerate Ireland’s transition to a clean, secure and affordable energy future, supporting national climate and energy objectives. The 2026 call is open to researchers across all disciplines and to public and private sector organisations, encouraging collaboration to deliver impactful and scalable solutions for Ireland’s energy transition.  The deadline for applications to the RD&D call for the call is 13:00, Tuesday 30^th June 2026.

Funding for energy research and innovation projects

SEAI is pleased to announce that the 2026 RD&D call involves co-funding partnerships with Met Éireann and Geological Survey Ireland.

In parallel, the SEAI Energise Fellowship Programme 2026 calls are now open, offering opportunities for researchers to undertake high-impact, policy-relevant energy research. The programme aims to build capacity in the sustainable energy sector, strengthen the link between research and policy, and support evidence-based decision-making for Ireland’s clean energy transition. Fellowships are available in both academic settings and within SEAI, with the SEAI-based fellowships offering a unique opportunity to gain direct experience of energy policy development and implementation. Eligibility for those has been expanded for 2026 to attract more senior and established researchers, including academic staff, broadening participation and strengthening the impact of the programme. The deadline for the SEAI based fellowships applications is 13:00, Thursday 11th June 2026, and for the academic fellowships is 13:00, Tuesday 30^th June 2026.

SEAI has supported energy research since 2002, with the RD&D programme playing a central role in delivering innovation across the energy sector. More than 300 projects have been supported to date, with total funding of over €120 million, spanning areas such as renewable energy, energy systems, energy management and efficiency, transport, energy policy, human behaviour and community engagement.

What’s new for 2026

The 2026 programme introduces several key updates:

• A revised thematic approach, focusing on priority research areas in line with government national priorities
• A new (optional) Offshore Renewable Energy RDD+ funding pathway, supporting projects that are relevant to offshore renewable energy, and require access to specialist test facilities outside Ireland, with funding of up to €2 million per project
• Enhancements to the Energise Fellowship Programme, broadening eligibility and strengthening links between research and policy

Equal, diverse, and inclusive teams lead to higher productivity, creativity, and greater problem-solving ability, resulting in more impactful research. We strive to enhance opportunities to address gender imbalances in research leadership. Wider support is also available to support equality, diversity and inclusion including funding for those who may have additional support needs and accompanied travel for those with caring responsibilities.

Further information is available at: https://www.seai.ie/seai-research/research-funding/

Minister for the Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien, TD said: 

“This €20 million investment highlights the Government’s strong commitment to driving innovation that will accelerate Ireland’s transition to a clean, secure and affordable energy future. I welcome the continued growth of SEAI’s RD&D and Energise Fellowship programmes, as well as the new Offshore Renewable Energy pathway, which will help position Ireland at the forefront of renewable innovation. I encourage researchers and organisations to apply and play a key role in shaping a more sustainable energy system.”

 William Walsh, CEO of SEAI added: 

“Innovation – questioning how we do things and doing them better, is so important to meet the scale of the challenge we are facing to reduce Ireland’s dependency on fossil fuel. This €20m fund supports the trailblazers, those at the cutting-edge of energy research, looking at ways to make Ireland a healthier, more affordable, more secure place to live and work. We’ve had some incredible projects over the years, and I really encourage those working on sustainable energy projects to apply to the programmes.”

Open information webinars will be held on Thursday 21^st May at 10am for the Fellowships Calls, and on Monday 25^th May at 10am for RD&D funding call.

Further information is available on the SEAI National Energy RD&D Funding Programme webpage.

About the RD&D programme

The SEAI National Energy Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D) Programme spearheads support for research, innovation, and coordination of Irish energy research efforts.

SEAI catalyses direct energy research action through the delivery of the annual RD&D Programme and through capacity-building processes with citizens and communities as well as private and public sector organisations. The revitalised SEAI RD&D Programme launched in 2018 and since then it has developed into a multi-annual call, involving companies, non-academic research institutions, universities, institutes of technology, public sector, and semi-state bodies.

Details of energy research projects can be viewed on the National Energy Research Database.

About SEAI 

SEAI is the expert authority on decarbonising Ireland’s energy system, using robust, objective data and an evidence-based approach to help inform policy development and energy user behaviours. SEAI empowers households, businesses, motorists and the public sector to move away from fossil fuels with practical advice and financial supports. We encourage positive changes in how Ireland uses energy to deliver a more prosperous, energy efficient and cleaner environment.

SEAI is funded by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.

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