UL researcher awarded funding as part of Government infrastructural investment

Dr Shalini Singh is one of nine academics nationally to receive funding through the Research Ireland Infrastructure Programme.

UL Associate Professor Dr Shalini Singh has been awarded significant funding as part of the government’s investment in research infrastructure

University of Limerick Associate Professor Dr Shalini Singh, Department of Chemical Sciences and member of Bernal Institute is one of nine academics nationally to receive funding through the Research Ireland Infrastructure Programme.

This funding will enable the installation of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities across the country, strengthening Ireland’s research capacity in strategically important areas such as advanced materials, MedTech, AI, semiconductors and quantum technologies. The programme is designed to ensure that Irish researchers can access the specialised equipment needed to compete on the global stage.

Announcing the total investment of €17m to support the nine key infrastructure projects, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD said: “This 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.”

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

Reacting to her award, Associate Professor Singh said, “The investment will allow for an extensive upgrade to the high-resolution microscopy suite in the Bernal Institute, which has served national and international academic and industrial projects for almost 15 years. The proposed facility comprises a true environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) with advanced sample prep tools.”

Associate Professor Singh added, “An ESEM will allow researchers to examine samples in wet, hydrated, or variable-pressure environments, which is especially important for fields like biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing. This means researchers can better understand how materials behave in real-world settings, leading to more accurate results and faster innovation. Overall, the ESEM will strengthen the institute’s research capabilities, support higher-quality scientific outputs, and improve collaboration with industry partners.”

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.”