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Postdoctoral
Development
Centre

Research Ireland Pathway Programme

Research Ireland Pathway Programme

Call open for Expressions of Interest

About the Research Ireland Pathway Programme

The Research Ireland Pathway Programme supports talented postdoctoral researchers to transition towards research independence and establish themselves as future research leaders.

Eligible postdoctoral researchers at Queen's may apply to the scheme, with Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) as the nominating research performing organisation. Successful applicants will hold a fixed-term research post at DkIT for the duration of the award.

Funding of up to €535,000 per award is available which includes:

  • Salary support for an experienced postdoctoral researcher (up to PD2 Point 4 on the IUA scale) for 4 years
  • Funding for a PhD student (stipend of €25,000 per annum plus postgraduate fees up to €5,500 for 4 years)
  • Materials and travel

Full details about the scheme is available on the Research Ireland website.

Key Dates
  • QUB EoI deadline: 13:00, Thursday 5 February 2026
  • Outcome of EoI process communicated to applicants: before Friday 20 February 2026
  • Full application deadline to Research Ireland if selected: 13:00, Wednesday 7 May 2026

Eligibility and Institutional Nomination Process

Click on the following headings to learn more about how to submit an Expression of Interest for the Research Pathways funding call. 

As the number of nominations is capped, applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility and nomination process carefully before submitting an Expression of Interest. Please contact pdc@qub.ac.uk if you have any queries.

  • Who is eligible to apply?

    Each eligible institute can submit a maximum of 16 STEM-based applications. As per the funding call, no more than 50% of applications can be from male applicants.

    Applicants must:

    • Have been awarded their PhD at least two years prior to the submission deadline (2024 or earlier)
    • Not currently hold, nor have previously held, an academic contract exceeding 36 months. Teaching-only academic contracts greater than or equal to 36 months in duration are permitted.
    • Not yet be considered an independent researcher and not have held significant independent research funding. Personal awards, including student, postdoctoral or individual fellowships, travel awards, and bursaries are permissible.

    To ensure you are eligible, please carefully review the full eligibility criteria and further information in the Call Document.

  • What is required to apply?

    Research Ireland requires applicants to be nominated by an eligible Irish Research Performing Organisation (RPO). For this call, the RPO is the Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT). As the number of nominations is capped, an internal Expression of Interest (EoI) process will be run.

    Each applicant must secure the support of an experienced Mentor within DkIT, who agrees to host both the applicant and their recruited PhD student, providing advice, access to relevant infrastructure and co-supervision of the PhD. 

    Please see the List of DkIT Host Mentors for more information about the available mentors and their areas of expertise and interest. It is essential that applicants select the mentor who best aligns with their proposed programme of research.

  • What is the process to be nominated as an applicant via DkIT?

    Applicants must:

    • Ensure they meet the eligibility criteria
    • Select a DkIT-based mentor (based on the list of available mentors). It is essential that applicants select the mentor who best aligns with their proposed programme of research.
    • Complete the Expression of Interest form.
    • Submit completed forms to pdc@qub.ac.uk before the deadline (13:00, Thursday 5 February).

    Successful Expressions of Interest will be evaluated by the DkIT Research Office and selected mentor, and those deemed to be the most competitive will be selected as nominees. Please note, mentors may request an online meeting before committing to supporting a nominee.

    The DkIT research office will submit the full list of successful nominees to Research Ireland on 20 February 2026, soon after which, these nominees will be formally invited to submit a full application.

    Please forward informal queries about the programme or the expression of interest process to pdc@qub.ac.uk