SEAI opens €20m call for energy research projects
The Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) has announced a new round of Government of Ireland funding of €20 million to support energy research and innovation under its 2026 National Energy Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D) Funding Programme and Energise Fellowship Programme.
The RD&D 2026 call is open to researchers across all disciplines and to public and private sector organisations, encouraging collaboration to deliver impactful and scalable solutions for Ireland’s energy transition.
In parallel, the SEAI Energise Fellowship Programme 2026 offers opportunities for researchers to undertake high-impact, policy-relevant energy research. The programme aims to build capacity in the sustainable energy sector, strengthen the link between research and policy, and support evidence-based decision-making for Ireland’s clean energy transition. Fellowships are available in both academic settings and within SEAI, with the SEAI-based fellowships offering a unique opportunity to gain direct experience of energy policy development and implementation. Eligibility for those has been expanded for 2026 to attract more senior and established researchers, including academic staff, broadening participation and strengthening the impact of the programme.
SEAI has supported energy research since 2002, with the RD&D programme playing a central role in delivering innovation across the energy sector. More than 300 projects have been supported to date, with total funding of over €120 million, spanning areas such as renewable energy, energy systems, energy management and efficiency, transport, energy policy, human behaviour and community engagement.
The 2026 programme introduces several key updates, including a revised thematic approach, focusing on priority research areas in line with government national priorities; and an optional Offshore Renewable Energy RDD+ funding pathway, supporting projects that are relevant to offshore renewable energy, and require access to specialist test facilities outside Ireland, with funding of up to €2 million per project
The deadline for applications is 30 June 2026.
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