Two RCSI projects have received more than €1 million in combined funding through the Research Ireland Infrastructure Programme.

The awards, announced today by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, will enable the installation of state-of-the-art equipment, strengthening national research capacity and ensuring Irish researchers can access specialised equipment needed to compete globally.

Professor Oran Kennedy, from the RCSI Tissue Engineering Research Group, is leading the HARD2HISTO project, which will establish a national facility for preparing, processing and analysing hard tissues, including those incorporating complex medical devices. Hard tissues in the body, such as bones, joints and teeth, are very important to our health but can be challenging for healthcare researchers to study as they are difficult to prepare and examine under microscopes. The HARD2HISTO lab will provide a facility to analyse these tissues, supporting the development of new treatments facilitating research into novel medical devices and therapies.

Professor Claire Condron, based at the RCSI SIM Centre for Simulation Education and Research, is collaborating on the Medical Device Innovation Network (MeDiNet), developed in partnership between the University of Galway and RCSI. This project will provide advanced 3D printers and simulation tools to create realistic models of the human body, enabling medical devices to be tested in lifelike conditions. The facility aims to decrease the need for early animal testing and will allow medical devices to reach patients more quickly, safely and affordably.

Announcing the investment, Minister Lawless said: “Today’s Research Ireland infrastructure announcement further underscores our strong commitment to ensuring Ireland’s research community have access to world-class facilities. These nine projects will strengthen national capability in areas vital to Ireland’s future, including advanced materials, AI, and MedTech. This investment will equip researchers across the country with the tools they need to remain at the forefront of global innovation and strengthen Ireland’s long-term competitiveness.”

Professor Fergal O’Brien, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at RCSI, said: “RCSI welcomes the announcement of funding for this cutting-edge healthcare research infrastructure. Furthering our understanding of tissues, diseases and medical devices is key to addressing major challenges in modern healthcare and developing innovative new treatments. This investment will drive research that benefits patients and improves healthcare outcomes in the long term.”

Welcoming the announcement, Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, added: “We are enabling researchers across the country to pursue ambitious ideas, deepen collaboration and accelerate breakthrough discoveries by providing access to truly world-class infrastructure. The awards announced today are a key step in delivering on Research Ireland’s strategy to strengthen national research capacity, future-proofing our research ecosystem and ensuring Ireland remains a global leader in high-impact research.”