Geoscience Ireland members are to the forefront of geoscience related research and development activities. Members actively innovate to enhance competitiveness and in doing so collaborate with research institutions and funding agencies both in Ireland and the EU.

Geoscience research is undertaken in geology departments and also in civil engineering and environmental science departments, and is underpinned by high-quality researchers, top-class analytical facilities, and University innovation and commercialisation centres.

Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) funds geoscience programmes in Ireland over multi-annual cycles, and has developed strong links over many years with the geoscience research community on the island of Ireland. GSI also supports the Irish Centre for Research in the Applied Geosciences (iCRAG) which was launched by Science Foundation Ireland in 2014. iCRAG is also supported by the European Regional Development Fund and industry partners including members of the GI business cluster.

Enterprise Ireland, Ireland’s national export agency, also assists in enabling SME competitiveness by providing innovation programmes and partnerships.