Annual Report and Accounts 2016
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Annual Report andSCIENCE Accounts FOUNDATION IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2016 2016 1 Cover image Andrea Zanetti University College Dublin Title: Organic “ChemisTree”, a Telescopic View “On a busy Monday in the laboratory I was working on three reactions, two of which being a priority, and the third one, since I knew the product was stable enough, was left until last. By the evening when I finally got time to work on the last, the copper salts (side product) had slowly grown (crashed out) in the shape of a tree from the green island (my product mixture). The blue sky background is due to the nitrile glove I was wearing.” Table of Contents 1. Vision 4 2. Mission 4 3. Core Values 4 4. Agenda 2020 5 5. Key Statistics 6 6. Chairman and Director General Joint Statement 8 7. Science Foundation Ireland Board Members 11 8. Year in Review 12 9. Overview of 2016 18 10. Governance, Oversight and Organisational Structure 47 11. Financial statements 61 12. Grant Commitments and Payment Analysis 81 SCIENCE FOUNDATION IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2016 3 Vision Mission Ireland will be a global Science Foundation Ireland will leader in scientific and progress Ireland’s society and engineering research, economy by supporting the best scientific and engineering research discovery and innovation. while building an awareness of the role, impact and opportunities science creates. Excellence: Passionate: “Delivering what we “We genuinely care about promise and exceeding every aspect of what we do expectations“ and are totally committed to the individual, the organisation and our community“ Integrity: CoreSFI Collaborative: “We do the right thing” “Working together for Core science in society; Values Working together for Values each other” Progressive: Respect: “We are an innovative, “We value everybody dynamic and visionary within and outside the funding agency” organisation for their time, views and contribution to achieving SFI strategy” 4 SCIENCE FOUNDATION IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2016 Agenda 2020 About Science Agenda 2020 is SFI’s strategic plan Foundation over the period 2012 to 2020. It has four primary objectives: Ireland 1. To be the best science funding Science Foundation Ireland funds agency in the world at creating research in the areas of science, impact from excellent research technology, engineering, and and demonstrating clear value for mathematics (STEM) which promotes money invested. and assists the development and competitiveness of industry, 2. To be the exemplar in building enterprise and employment in Ireland. partnerships that fund excellent The Foundation also promotes science and drive it out into the and supports STEM education and market and society. engagement, and creates awareness 3. To have the most engaged and and understanding of the value of scientifically informed public. STEM to society and to the growth of the economy. 4. To represent the ideal modern public service organisation, staffed in a lean and flexible manner, with efficient and effective management. SCIENCE FOUNDATION IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2016 5 1. Key Statistics – infographic Excellent Science Science Foundation Ireland delivering Ireland’s International Rankings · Talent Excellent Science Industry Science Foundation Ireland delivering Ireland’s International Rankings & Skills Collaborations …supporting the next generation of our talent pipeline Science Foundation Ireland Economic € awards directly supported Ireland is 10th industry 4,239 People collaborations in global scientific ranking Impact 1,603 working on Science Foundation Ireland supported research projects Research investment supporting jobs and 929 collaborations with 399 MNCs collaborations with Animl nd Diry 2nd Ireland’s economic future 674 491 SMEs 1,441 Postgraduate students supported by Science Foundation Ireland Immunology 2nd Ireland is Nnotechnology 2nd 1st in the world for knowledge diffusion 27% of PhD departures to industry as a SFI directly and indirectly € first destination Mterils Sciences 3rd supports 31,000 jobs in Ireland. 3rd in the world for knowledge and 32% of Postdocs to industry as first technology outputs Agriculturl Sciences 4th 40 Conferences and Workshops destination Programme awards – international 53% of SFI team members are in Chemistry th 8,876 5 3rd in the world for knowledge impact delegates. the private sector 6-8 years post SFI award. Bsic Medicl Reserch 6th 7th most innovative country in the world Projected local economic value to Ireland Computer Science 6th (Global Innovation Index 2016) €10.5m Education & Engagement 31% of SFI Investigator Programme €184m spend across Promoting STEM careers and enabling people awards published articles that were cited to join the conservation International SFI programmes generates: by patents, indicating strong innovation and knowledge transfer to industry. 1,600 Smart Futures volunteers Collaborations €133m leveraged have engaged with 110,000 students providing STEM Science Foundation non-exchequer funding careers advice. Ireland researchers €71m EU funding 550 Primary schools were involved in received SFI Discover Primary Science and Maths €45m secured from Awards A total of 4,199 private enterprise 18% 2,359 publications reported by Science Week reached Science Foundation international academic 250,000 people Ireland researchers across all 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland collaborations in 63 countries. Science Foundation Ireland researchers participated in: 40% are available in Media interviews open access repository. 2,300+ Public lectures and demonstrations Science Foundation 1,000+ Visits to primary and secondary schools Ireland 2.41% 1,000+ Israel 1.50% SFI Discover Programme supported 44 projects of Science 2.41% Ireland 1.54% National Science through an investment of €2.8 million. Foundation Ireland USA 1.74% Foundation USA 2.7% UK funded publications 1.75% National Institutes for Denmark 2.38% are in the top 1% Health USA 2.9% of publications 6 SCIENCE FOUNDATION IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2016 1. Key Statistics – infographic Excellent Science Science Foundation Ireland delivering Ireland’s International Rankings · Talent Excellent Science Industry Science Foundation Ireland delivering Ireland’s International Rankings & Skills Collaborations …supporting the next generation of our talent pipeline Science Foundation Ireland Economic € awards directly supported Ireland is 10th industry 4,239 People collaborations in global scientific ranking Impact 1,603 working on Science Foundation Ireland supported research projects Research investment supporting jobs and 929 collaborations with 399 MNCs collaborations with Animl nd Diry 2nd Ireland’s economic future 674 491 SMEs 1,441 Postgraduate students supported by Science Foundation Ireland Immunology 2nd Ireland is Nnotechnology 2nd 1st in the world for knowledge diffusion 27% of PhD departures to industry as a SFI directly and indirectly € first destination Mterils Sciences 3rd supports 31,000 jobs in Ireland. 3rd in the world for knowledge and 32% of Postdocs to industry as first technology outputs Agriculturl Sciences 4th 40 Conferences and Workshops destination Programme awards – international 53% of SFI team members are in Chemistry th 8,876 5 3rd in the world for knowledge impact delegates. the private sector 6-8 years post SFI award. Bsic Medicl Reserch 6th 7th most innovative country in the world Projected local economic value to Ireland Computer Science 6th (Global Innovation Index 2016) €10.5m Education & Engagement 31% of SFI Investigator Programme €184m spend across Promoting STEM careers and enabling people awards published articles that were cited to join the conservation International SFI programmes generates: by patents, indicating strong innovation and knowledge transfer to industry. 1,600 Smart Futures volunteers Collaborations €133m leveraged have engaged with 110,000 students providing STEM Science Foundation non-exchequer funding careers advice. Ireland researchers €71m EU funding 550 Primary schools were involved in Partnerships received SFI Discover Primary Science and Maths €45m secured from Awards A total of 4,199 private enterprise 18% Working in partnership publications reported by with international and Science Week reached 2,359 national funders Science Foundation international academic 250,000 people Ireland researchers across all 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland collaborations in 63 countries. Science Foundation Ireland researchers participated in: 40% are available in Media interviews open access repository. 2,300+ Public lectures and demonstrations Science Foundation 1,000+ Visits to primary and secondary schools Ireland 2.41% 1,000+ Israel 1.50% SFI Discover Programme supported 44 projects of Science 2.41% Ireland 1.54% National Science through an investment of €2.8 million. Foundation Ireland USA 1.74% Foundation USA 2.7% UK funded publications 1.75% National Institutes for Denmark 2.38% are in the top 1% Health USA 2.9% of publications SCIENCE FOUNDATION IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2016 7 Joint Statement Research in science, technology, engineering and Ireland now ranking 1st in the world for knowledge mathematics improves our economy, creates diffusion and 3rd in the world for knowledge and employment and enhances vital areas of our society, technology outputs and knowledge Impact (Global including healthcare, environment, agriculture and Innovation Index 2016). education. Science and technology are playing greater Science Foundation Ireland launched a new gender roles in almost every aspect of our lives. Through initiative in 2016. To ensure