First Minister of Wales announces Wales-Ireland Early-Career Researcher Mobility Scheme
First Minister of Wales, Rhun ap Iorwerth, announces Wales-Ireland Early-Career Researcher Mobility Scheme administered by the Learned Society of Wales, to support early career researchers at the Ireland-Wales Forum 2026.
Funding will complement the Ireland-Wales strand of the Charlemont Grant Scheme administered by the Royal Irish Academy.
Rhun ap Iorwerth, First Minister of Wales, today announced the Welsh Government’s intention to provide complementary funding for the Wales-Ireland Early Career Research Mobility Scheme. The scheme will be delivered by the Learned Society of Wales (LSW) in partnership with the Welsh Government, mirroring a scheme (the Ireland-Wales strand of the Charlemont Grants scheme) already in place in Ireland. This complementary funding will help further support early career researchers exploring research collaborations between Ireland and Wales. The announcement was made during the First Minister’s visit to Ireland for the annual Ireland-Wales Forum.
During the Forum, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, announced the renewal of the Ireland-Wales strand of the Charlemont Grants scheme, which was launched in 2025.
The Ireland Wales Early Career Research Schemes seek to promote research collaboration between Ireland and Wales under the Ireland-Wales Shared Statement and will be overseen by the LSW and the Royal Irish Academy (RIA). The schemes will provide small travel grants to support both early-career researchers (ECRIs) in Ireland in the initial stages of developing research projects with Welsh partners, and those ECRIs in Wales who are in the beginning stages of developing projects with Irish partners. The schemes provide support for short research trips abroad to carry out primary research, build new collaboration and networks or access equipment or training not available in the country they are located.
Speaking at Iveagh House today, the First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth stated:
‘Research and innovation are central to the strong and enduring relationship between Wales and Ireland. By providing funding alongside the Irish Government, we are creating new opportunities for early-career researchers in Wales to collaborate and develop projects of shared benefit.
‘This initiative delivers on the ambitions of the Ireland-Wales Shared Statement 2030 and reflects the strong partnership between us. Together, we are investing in the next generation of researchers and innovators and strengthening the long-term connections between our two nations.’
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland said:
‘I warmly welcome the Welsh Government’s decision to provide complementary funding for the Wales-Ireland Early Career Researcher Mobility Scheme. This is a clear demonstration of our shared commitment to deepening cooperation in research and innovation between Ireland and Wales.’
‘I am also pleased to announce that the Irish Government will renew its support for the Ireland-Wales strand of the Charlemont Grants scheme, administered through the RIA, for a further year, ensuring continued opportunities for early-career researchers and innovators to develop new collaborations and projects. Together, these investments will strengthen the links between our two countries and support the next generation of Ireland-Wales partnerships.’
Professor Dame Elan Closs Stephens, President, Learned Society of Wales, said:
‘By working together on behalf of our respective governments, the LSW and the RIA are creating a strong and exciting platform for the next generation of researchers and innovators to develop ambitious, collaborative projects across both islands. As the incoming President, I am delighted at the growing relationship between the National Academies of Wales and Ireland.’
Daniel Carey, President, RIA said:
‘Our strong collaboration through the Celtic Academies Alliance has already demonstrated the value of bringing our academic communities together, and this new initiative with the LSW will create further opportunities for our early-career researchers and innovators to build lasting partnerships.’
The RIA and LSW will formally launch the calls for the scheme in Autumn 2026. Further details will be available in September 2025 at: www.learnedsociety.wales and www.ria.ie.