A national review of State supports for thousands of PhD researchers is expected to recommend increasing their pay to €25,000 in an attempt to retain research talent, according to today’s “Irish Times”.

About 6,000 doctoral researchers across higher education institutions are in receipt of stipends and most are paid at a standard rate of some €18,500 annually.

The low rates of pay have sparked protests over recent months and warnings from students that inflation and cost-of-living issues have created a “crisis” which threatens the sustainability of higher education research.

Geoscience Ireland (GI) strongly supports calls for this increase which is reported   to be a key conclusion of a  forthcoming Review commissioned by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris TD. The collaboration between third level applied research centers and industry is an essential  component for the continued success of Ireland’s economic policy. .