International Activity (MI Sitewide?)Advice and Services

Explore how the Marine Institute supports Irish marine research, scientific cooperation, and policy engagement internationally.

Our international role

We work internationally across research, policy advice, funding, partnerships, and science diplomacy.

These activities support and promote Irish marine research and innovation at national, European, and international levels.

International research, development, and innovation initiatives add value to national investment. They enable coastal and ocean research at a scale that a single country cannot always undertake.

Cooperation also reduces duplication and fragmented effort. It improves access to state-of-the-art facilities and research infrastructures, while supporting researcher mobility and career development.

Supporting international and regional policy

Our engagement, dialogue, and cooperation primarily cover the European Union and the wider Atlantic area.

Common Fisheries Policy
Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Water Framework Directive
Marine Spatial Planning Directive
Atlantic Strategy and Action Plan 2.0
EU Mission to Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030
European Ocean Pact and the forthcoming European Ocean Act
UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

Impact 2030

Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy guides international cooperation through Pillar 5 on All-Island, EU, and Global Connectivity.

Ocean Knowledge 2030

Ireland’s Strategy for Marine Research, Knowledge and Innovation for 2025-2030 sets priorities for partnerships, networks, and productivity in ocean science and policy.

Participation in EU and international science fora

International cooperation strengthens the work of a marine research and development agency.

We collaborate through expert working groups, joint research, networks, think tanks, and marine science fora.

Working with ICES

The International Council for Exploration of the Seas (ICES) is central to our international engagement. This intergovernmental marine science organisation provides impartial evidence on the state and sustainable use of seas and oceans.

We contribute to the ICES advisory process through workshops, committees, and nearly 60 expert working groups. Their work covers fisheries, marine spatial planning, pathology, oceanography, data governance, and vessel greening.

Advancing international collaboration

Ireland’s marine territory, resources, research knowledge, and capacity give it a distinctive position in Europe.

We participate in international science-policy fora and networks to advance Ireland’s research collaborations and contribute to European marine science and policy advice.

This work supports co-funding arrangements, marine knowledge, access to pan-European research infrastructures, science diplomacy, and engagement with the international research agenda.

Our leadership in the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance and the Our Shared Ocean programme for Small Island Developing States contributes to Global Ireland ambitions.

Themes across our international activity

Our international activities and engagement span connected areas of marine research, policy, infrastructure, and cooperation.

Blue Economy
Capacity Development
Data and Observations
Funding
Environment & Biodiversity
Research & Policy
Research Infrastructures

Network diagram grouping Marine Institute international links into six themes: Blue Economy, Capacity Development, Funding and Science Policy, Data and Observations, Environment and Biodiversity, and Research Infrastruct

International Activity

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