On this page
What the forum does
Government departments and funding organisations use the forum to coordinate marine research funding. It provides strategic direction, aligns policy and funding, and monitors national priorities.
Forum priorities
The forum was established in 2018 under the National Marine Research & Innovation Strategy 2017–2021. It now plays a central role in implementing Ocean Knowledge 2030, Ireland’s national strategy for 2025–2030.
- sharing information on research funding calls and programmes at national and international level
- monitoring marine research investment and identifying opportunities for coordinated or joint funding calls
- identifying capacity needs and informing research prioritisation
- supporting the implementation and monitoring of national marine research, knowledge, and innovation strategic initiatives
Why this matters for policy
Better coordination connects public research investment with shared policy needs.
- understanding how public funding is allocated across research themes
- collaboration between departments and agencies
- alignment of research investment with policy priorities
- evidence-based decision-making at the national level
Participating organisations
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (Northern Ireland)
- Bord Iascaigh Mhara
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
- Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment
- Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
- Enterprise Ireland
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Fáilte Ireland
- Geological Survey Ireland
- Higher Education Authority
- Inland Fisheries Ireland
- InterTradeIreland
- Knowledge Transfer Ireland
- Marine Institute
- Maritime Area Regulatory Authority
- Met Éireann
- National Monuments Service
- National Parks and Wildlife Service of DHLGH
- Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
- Northern & Western Regional Assembly
- Research Ireland
- Southern Regional Assembly
- Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
- Teagasc
- Údarás na Gaeltachta
- Western Development Commission
Data and insights
Since 2018, we have worked with forum members to collect and analyse marine research investment data.
This work supports a shared evidence base across government. The National Marine Research Database provides central information on funded projects for policy analysis, reporting, and research planning.