Ireland launches investment programme for research equipment

The Irish government has announced a €750 million investment package for research infrastructure.

The INSPIRE programme, which was announced by the Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, on 26/11/2025, will provide research equipment to universities in Ireland. This covers two categories of equipment: Local Institutional Infrastructure, which costs between €25,000 and €500,000 and is used for both teaching and research purposes within a higher education institution; and Shared Advanced Infrastructures, which costs over €500,000 and is shared across multiple institutions and external users.

The programme is funded through a €4.55 billion capital allocation from the National Development Plan (NDP), as determined by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science said €750 million will be invested by the INSPIRE programme between 2026 and 2031 to align with "national priorities", including competitiveness…