2015 Competitive Call for
Research Proposals
Call Specification
(All Initiatives)
DEADLINE for Proposal Submission – Thursday 10th December 2015 @1pm
Applications will be treated in confidence and no information contained therein will be communicated to
any third party without the written permission of the applicant except insofar as is specifically required for
the evaluation of the proposal. However, for applications involving collaborating partner(s) in Northern
Ireland the full application may be forwarded, if necessary, to the Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development (DARD) without prior approval from the applicant.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................................................... 2
1. BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................................... 3
2. APPLICATION PROCESS ............................................................................................................................. 7
3. DAFM RESEARCH FUNDING FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................... 8
A. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ....................................................................................................................... 9
B. FOOD RESEARCH ...................................................................................................................................... 9
C. FOREST RESEARCH.................................................................................................................................. 10
D.CROSS CUTTING RESEARCH .................................................................................................................... 10
4. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................................... 11
5. RESEARCH AREAS SPECIFIED IN CALL 2015 ............................................................................................ 15
A. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (NI institutions eligible under Topics denoted by *) .................................. 15
B. FOOD RESEARCH (NI institutions eligible under Topics denoted by *) .................................................. 20
C. FOREST RESEARCH (NI institutions eligible under Topics denoted by *) ............................................... 23
D. CROSS CUTTING RESEARCH (NI institutions eligible under Topics denoted by *) ................................. 25
APPENDIX A ................................................................................................................................................ 27
2
1. BACKGROUND
Importance of the Sector
The agri-food1 and bio-economy sector is a key part of Ireland’s economy, being our largest indigenous
manufacturing industry with a gross annual output in excess of €26 billion. Exports to over 170
markets from this sector have grown faster than many other sectors in recent years and are now worth
over €10 billion per annum. Primary Production makes up 2.4% of the economy including 139,890
farms and agriculture and forestry provide employment for 4.5% of the working population. The agrifood processing sector is the primary outlet for the produce and output of family farms and includes
many food and drink companies distributed throughout the country. The agri-food sector generates
7.2% Gross Value Added, provides some 160,000 jobs, 8.4% of employment, comprises 26% of all
manufacturing turnover and generating 12.7% of total merchandise exports. The sector also
contributes a disproportionately large net contribution to earnings from exports due to its low import
dependence and the low levels of profit repatriation among its processing firms. Within the processing
sector, there are approximately 1,300 food companies ranging from High-Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs)
to micro- enterprises to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to large indigenous companies to
multinational Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) companies. Over 90% are SMEs with a distinct regional
distribution relative to other manufacturing industries and a small number of the indigenous
multinational companies are global players.
Furthermore, of a total land area of 6.9 million hectares (97.8% is defined as rural), 4.99 million
hectares is devoted to agriculture (67.1 %). 80% o f t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l a r e a is permanent
grassland and meadows, 20% is arable land a n d 0 . 6 % i s f a r m e d o r g a n i c a l l y , making Irish
agriculture primarily a c o n v e n t i o n a l l y f a r m e d grass-based industry. Beef and milk production
currently account for almost 69% of Gross Agricultural Output with pigs (7.9%), cereals (3.9%) and
sheep (3.9%) also having a contribution. Ireland’s temperate climate provides competitive advantages
associated with grass-based production systems compared with high input feed systems. 47.1% of
agricultural land is farmed with a low intensity, 32% is farmed with a medium intensity and 20.9% is
farmed at a high intensity. Agricultural land has a significant capacity to deliver provisioning,
supporting, regulating and cultural ecosystem services, for example the sequestration of carbon,
nutrient cycling and pest and flood control. Additionally, 4.1% of the agricultural area is part of the
Natura 2000 network with 22% of farmed land being described as being of High Nature Value (HNV).
In excess of 759,000 hectares (11%) of the land area of Ireland is now under forest cover and woodland
and annual afforestation rates in recent years supported by State funding is in excess of 6,000 hectares
per annum. Ireland’s forest sector is now a major indigenous industry with a gross annual output of
around €2.2 billion, exports worth close to €200 million per annum and around 12,000 people
employed. Ireland has a modern wood processing sector which continues to demonstrate its capacity
to develop new opportunities and forests are increasingly seen as an important source of renewable
1
Includes forestry and fisheries when mentioned throughout this Call
3
energy. Forests also have a significant capacity to sequester carbon, provide important wildlife habitat,
enhance the landscape and are a valuable recreational resource.
The economic value of the Irish coastal region is an estimated €149 billion GVA (or €170 billion
expressed in GDP terms). Thus thee production and processing of marine-origin foods, plays an
important economic role in some of Ireland’s less developed regions; particularly along the western
seaboard. Taking into account the extent of the seabed area, Ireland is the third largest EU State in the
North Atlantic, with a seabed territory of approximately 880,000 km2; over 10 times greater than our
landmass and a coastline of 7,500km. Our marine resources also provide essential non-commercial
benefits such as amenity, biodiversity and our mild climate. Ireland’s marine ecosystems (i.e. offshore,
inshore and coastline) are home to a rich and diverse range of species and habitats. Designated marine
areas are also part of the Natura 2000 network.
Over-arching Strategic Direction – Key Guiding Documents
A number of high level policy documents give strategic direction to the on-going development of the
agri-food sector. These strategic documents include, but are not limited to, the following:
 The Action Plan for Jobs 2 is the whole-of-Government initiative under which all Government
Departments and Agencies work together to deliver on the agreed action points for each year. Now
in its fourth year, the Plan has five strategic ambitions: to support 100,000 additional jobs by 2016;
to get Ireland back to a top-five ranking in international competitiveness; to stimulate the domestic
economy and generate employment in locally traded sector; to build an indigenous engine of
growth that drives up the export market share of Irish companies; and to build world-class clusters
in key sectors of opportunity. The agri-food and bio-economy sector is clearly a significant player in
this process.
 The recently completed Food Wise 2025 Strategy3 sets out a road map for growing the agri-food
sector over the next decade and sets ambitious targets for many sectors of the wider industry. The
report contains a number of key high level messages including:




Importance of sustainability and the fact that it’s three pillars - economic,
environmental and social – are equally important and carry commensurate weight.
Importance of human capital development involving investment in people currently
working in the sector, a commitment to knowledge transfer that brings technological and
process advances to the industry, and recognition of the need to attract people with the
relevant skills into roles within the industry.
Importance of research, development and innovation and the need for an increased
focus on consumer demands and insights so as to translate research outputs into
commercial products.
The potential of the agri-food sector to act as a platform to interface with other
sectors such as pharma, tourism, bio-economy, biotechnology, bio-energy and IT
2
http://www.djei.ie/enterprise/apj.htm
3
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/agri-foodindustry/foodwise2025/report/FoodWise2025.pdf
4


including big data and precision technologies.
The need for a continued focus on competitiveness to be achieved by productivity
improvements at producer level through the adoption and application of cutting edge sustainable technologies and the adoption of new processes that drive
efficiencies at processing level.
That the systems supporting Ireland’s enviable food safety reputation must be enhanced
and re-enforced.
 The Sustainable, Healthy Agri-food Research Plan (SHARP)4, published by DAFM in June 2015, is a
Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda covering the ‘Sustainable Food Production and
Processing’ and ‘Food for Health’ priority areas of the National Research Prioritisation Exercise
(NRPE)5 which, together with its implementing structures, serves, in turn, as Ireland’s Smart
Specialisation6 policy to boost innovation by combining public entities, businesses and
knowledge institutions and focusing on our natural strengths. SHARP was developed in 2014
under the auspices of the Research Prioritisation Action Group through a process that involved all
relevant research funding bodies, a stakeholder survey, and input from the industry-led, DAFMhosted National Agri-food Research & Innovation (NAFRI) Group.
 The Integrated Marine Action Plan for Ireland (Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth)7 which sets out a
roadmap for the Government’s vision, high-level goals and integrated actions across policy,
governance and business to enable our marine potential to be realised. The plan contains a
number of targets and related strategic priorities relevant to guiding investment in related
research and innovation activities.
 Forests, Products and People – Ireland’s forest policy – a renewed vision, published in July 20148,
sets-out a renewed national forest policy strategy to steer and guide the sustainable expansion of
the forest sector. The document recognises the key role of forest research in supporting the
development of the sector and in delivering on the goals of forest policy.
Forest Research Ireland (FORI)9, describes a Strategic Research Agenda for the Forest sector. FORI was
developed by a Working Group of the COFORD Council and was published by DAFM in October 2014.
EU legislation, policies and strategies also give strategic direction to the on-going development of the
agri-food sector. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
 Common Agricultural Policy – The CAP sets out policy aiming for competitive and sustainable
agriculture and vibrant rural areas. In particular rural development policy10 allows for the
4
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/research/whatsnew/SustainableHealthyAgriFoodResearchPlan300315.pdf
5
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/research/ffs20120301ResearchPrioritisationExerciseReport.pdf
6
https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/research-topic/smart-specialisation
7http://www.ouroceanwealth.ie/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/Harnessing%20Our%20Ocean%20Wealth%20Report.pdf
8http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/forestpolicyreviewforestsproductsandpeople/00487%20Forestry%20Review%20-
%20web%2022.7.14.pdf
9
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/research/whatsnew/ForestResearchIreland20143Layout1091014.pdf
10
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:347:0487:0548:EN:PDF
5
programming of actions related to knowledge transfer, advisory, cooperation and European
Innovation Partnership (EIP) that are highly complementary and should be accounted for in
research activities. There are also other relevant parts of direct payments, rural development and
common market policies that should be considered.
 Environment & Climate Policy – The 7th Environmental Action Programme11, EU Biodiversity
Strategy12, Water Framework Directive13, Land use14 & soil15 strategies, Clean Air Package16,
Resource Efficiency17 and the 2030 Climate & Energy package18 set out short, medium and longer
term goals, objectives and obligations that need or will need to be accounted for in research related
to the agricultural and forestry sectors.
 Research Policy – The goal of Horizon 202019, the EU flagship policy for research and innovation, in
terms of sustainable agriculture and forestry is to provide the required knowledge and tools to
support productive, resource-efficient and resilient systems that supply food, feed and other
biobased raw-materials without compromising ecosystem services, while supporting the
development of incentives and policies for thriving rural livelihoods.
 The EU Bioeconomy Strategy – Innovating for Sustainable Growth20. The goal of this EU Strategy is
to play a role in the move to a more innovative and low emissions economy, reconciling demands
for sustainable agriculture and fisheries, food security, and the sustainable use of renewable
biological resources for industrial purposes, whilst ensuring biodiversity and environmental
protection. The strategy defines the Bioeconomy as an economy which encompasses the
sustainable production of renewable biological resources and their conversion into feed, food, biobased products such as bioplastics, biofuels and bioenergy. One of three key pillars of the strategy
is investing in research, innovation and skills. The Government’s policy document “Delivering our
Green Potential” 21 also deals with aspects of the green economy.
Call 2015
Recognising the vital importance of the agri-food sector to Ireland’s economic development, the
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) intends, under Call 2015, to fund a number of
research projects under the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM), the Research Stimulus Fund
(RSF) and the Programme of Competitive Forest Research for Development (CoFoRD). The content of
11
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/newprg/index.htm
12
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/biodiversity/comm2006/2020.htm
13
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/index_en.html
14
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/land_use/index_en.htm
15
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/soil/index_en.htm
16
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/clean_air_policy.htm
17
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/resource_efficiency
18
http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/index_en.htm
19
http://ec.europa.eu/research/bioeconomy/agriculture/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/research/bioeconomy/pdf/201202_innovating_sustainable_growth_en.pdf
20
21
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/ruralenvironment/environment/bioenergyscheme/DeliveringOurGreenPotential171212.pdf
6
the Call has been strongly influenced by the aforementioned high level strategic policy documents
and the SHARP and FORI strategic research and innovation agendas and applicants are, therefore,
strongly advised to consult these documents in order to get a full understanding of the overall
philosophy pursued, the high level objectives needing to be addressed and the benefits expected from
each of the topics included in the Call.
Multidisciplinary, inter-institutional collaboration is strongly encouraged. The involvement of industry
is also encouraged on a self financing basis subject to the need to respect the ‘public good’ nature of
DAFM Research Funding Programmes and compliance with the National IP Protocol. Evidence of such
industry engagement in a real and meaningful manner can help demonstrate the relevance and likely
impact of the research work which is examined as part of the evaluation process.
DAFM may also enter into co-funding arrangements with other Irish research funding bodies for certain
projects where appropriate. Co-funding of projects, especially the larger ones, by RPO partners using
either mainstream institutional funding sources and/or pan-industry levies made available to them is
also possible and demonstrates a genuine integrated partnership approach.
2. APPLICATION PROCESS
DAFM invites applications from approved Research Performing organisations (RPOs). Eligible RPOs are
HEIs, Teagasc and the Marine Institutes. Other organisations with a proven research performing
capability and track record wishing to be considered as partners on applications under DAFM
competitive research calls (including Call 2015) may apply for such approval through the process
that is also set out in Appendix A. In order to have your application assessed for eligibility under Call
2015 applications must be submitted to research@agriculture.gov.ie no later than 29th October 2015.
Public Research Performing Organisations with complementary research capability based in other
jurisdictions may be eligible to participate as collaborating partners in proposals provided DAFM has
entered into an agreement with the relevant funding body under which the latter will fund them if
successful. In this regard, DAFM has such an agreement with Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development (DARD), Northern Ireland which is undertaking to provide funding, subject to budget
availability, to Agri-Food Biosciences Institute, Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster
in successful projects that involve elements of Funding Instruments I to V only in Table 1 and address
those topics denoted by an asterisk (*) in Section 5. Intending applicants in these institutions
requiring further information on this funding should contact Ann McMahon, Science Advisory Branch,
email Ann.McMahon@dardni.gov.uk telephone 028 90 524178.
Evaluation process
All proposals will be evaluated using a 3-stage process: (i) initial assessment of eligibility, in particular,
completeness and compliance with the specifics/topics of the Call Specification (ii) peer review by a
7
panel of experts in accordance with defined criteria; and (iii) consideration of high level overarching
issues by DAFM’s Competitive Research Committee. Throughout this process emphasis will be
placed on the potential of the proposed research to address the real needs of the agri-food sector
and the economy generally as set out in relevant policy documents in particular the Food Wise 2025
Strategy. Applicants are also advised to take note of relevant existing or foreseen national, EU or
international legislation where research could facilitate compliance with the requirements and
commitments binding on Ireland.
ESEA RCH FU NDIN G F RAMEWORK
3. DAFM RESEARCH FUNDING FRAMEWORK
Recognising the value of research and innovation to the further development of a vibrant Irish agrifood sector, and bearing in mind the need to continually address competitiveness, sustainability and
consumer/citizen issues, DAFM has developed a Conceptual Framework (Figure 1) for funding related
research over the coming years. Research that is within this framework will be funded by DAFM,
alone or in partnership with others, through periodic calls under its competitive research funding
programmes guided by the specific priorities identified in high level policy documents and strategic
research and innovation agendas – currently SHARP and FORI.
Figure 1
The Framework implies that whilst primary production research is linked to processing research in dairy
/ meat, crop, fisheries and forestry it must be informed by consumer needs for a particular product.
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the opportunities to improve the quality of their lives
8
through healthy eating and of the contribution that sustainable production - both in terms of food and
non food products - can make to the improvement of their overall environment. The preferences of
consumers for quality, convenience, diversity and health, and their justifiable expectations of safety,
ethical and sustainable production serve to highlight the opportunities for innovation. The same
principles, with respect to consumers, apply in respect of the public good derived from agricultural
activities including access to rural amenities (e.g. forests).
Applicants should take note that some aspects are cross-sectoral or are applicable across the food
chain whilst other elements are focussed on a single sector or research activity. The likelihood is,
therefore, that, depending on the topic being addressed, a consortium comprising a mix of bioscience
and other Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and/or Humanities and Social
Science (HSS) type researchers may be required to fully address the issue. Applicants are strongly
advised to take account of this aspect when forming their research project teams as this will certainly
be considered as part of the evaluation process.
In addition, applicants should familiarise themselves with ongoing projects, programmes or other
initiatives funded either by DAFM or other funding agencies / bodies (e.g. Horizon 2020, EI Technology
Centres, SFI Centres) both nationally and internationally and, where possible and/or appropriate,
build on and link to such activities in their submission to this Call.
Research topics in Call 2015 are set out under the following four broad inter-related categories:
A. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
Ireland’s agriculture sector has a long standing international reputation for its safe, high quality,
nutritious food produced in a sustainable manner. Our dairy and beef products are much sought after
all over the globe. In order to maintain our international competitiveness, further research is needed
to provide new innovations for the primary production sector. Call 2015 will address research
objectives across the following six areas:






Animal Breeding and Reproduction
Animal Well-Being (Health and Welfare)
Animal Nutrition and Product Quality
Plant Production, Health and Breeding
Management of Natural Resources, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
Soils, Land Use, Climate Change and Transboundary Gases
B. FOOD RESEARCH
Ireland’s food industry is uniquely placed to lead economic growth in the export oriented indigenous
manufacturing sector. However, this growth will only result from the development of new and
innovative products, underpinned by a safe and secure food chain.
Food research programmes will require integration of key investment areas including food
chemistry, food structure, food formulation science, food processing technology, sensory science,
nutritional research, consumer science and food safety and quality. Each of these research areas
9
makes an important contribution to the pipeline of new product development. Integration of the
investment areas is critical as individually they will not deliver innovative food products, nor will they
enhance the competitiveness of the Irish food industry or differentiate our produce in global
markets. The needs of the consumer are paramount in the development of these new innovations.
Call 2015 focuses mainly on research objectives in the following areas:
 Food Processing
 Food Formulation
 Food for Health
Applicants should ensure that industry and consumer needs guide their research activities; in this
regard Bord Bia’s Consumer Lifestyle Trends 2015 (www.consumerlifestyletrends.ie) should be
adequately considered and used to inform the research proposed in the submission to this Call.
C. FOREST RESEARCH
The forest resource has the potential to provide a broad range of goods and services to satisfy
economic, environmental and social needs. The overall objective of DAFM’s CoFoRD forest research
funding programme is to develop a scientific foundation and support for a sustainable, competitive,
market orientated and innovative forest sector. The nature of forest research has evolved and
expanded over past decades against a backdrop of dynamic environmental, economic, social and
legislative circumstances and significantly, the changing profile of forest ownership.
The Call includes topics from the following six areas:
 Expansion of the Forest Resource - sustainable increase in productive area
 Productivity – sustainable improvements in crop productivity and quality
 Resource Utilisation - stand modelling, recovery, supply chain, utilisation and optimisation
 Adding Value – wood processing and product development
 Forest Resource Protection – protecting the resource biotic and abiotic threats
 Ecosystem Services – the benefits people obtain from forest ecosystems
Note: Forestry land use and climate change is included under Section A.3.8.
D.CROSS CUTTING RESEARCH
The ability of Ireland’s food industry to realise the growth potential as outlined by Food W i s e
2 0 2 5 is dependent on it being able to achieve increases in primary production output, whilst having
due regard for environmental, nutritional, economic and social objectives. Realising the vision of
Food Wise 2025 requires research that helps industry to address the many challenges associated with
making optimal use of raw materials, water, energy and other resources, while maintaining
rigorous food quality and food safety standards that meet consumer and legislative requirements.
The efficiency of the food supply chain is far from optimal with many supply sources and
10
intermediaries in the production and distribution process22. By embracing and promoting sustainability
in food production, Ireland can position itself as a world leader in emerging international trends. A
smart approach is to link sustainability with increased industry efficiency while, at the same time,
clearly articulating the benefits to consumers as a market positioning strategy that supports
premium returns to the sector and encourages best practice.
Call 2015 focuses mainly on research objectives in the following areas:
 Food Chain Integrity and Safety
 Data, ICT & Sensors

4. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Applications submitted in response to Call 2015 should be in line with the parameters set out in
Table 1 and should conform to the DAFM Research Funding Framework. In general, proposals are
encouraged that are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Collaborative and inter-institutional;
Address multiple research objectives;
Involve an integrated holistic approach e.g. farm to fork;
Multidisciplinary involving a number of bioscience and other STEM and/or HSS disciplines, if
appropriate/deemed to add value.
5. Contribute meaningfully to innovation and entrepreneurship.
DAFM reserve the right to group successful projects into new or existing programmes as appropriate
at the award / implementation stage.
Guidelines for applicants and the associated application forms will be provided in separate
documents.
The Funding Instruments that should be considered by applicants when making their submissions are
outlined in Table 1.
Unless specifically stated, all Instrument types are open to, but also confined to, the topics
areas outlined in Section 5 with the exception of Instruments VI (Thematic Coordination
Network) and VII (Research plus) which are open across all agri-food research activities
covered by the Conceptual Framework shown in Fig. 1.
22
ETP “Food for Life”- Strategic Research Agenda
11
Table 1: Funding Instruments appropriate to DAFM Call 2015
Funding Instruments
I.
23
23
Desk Study
Type of Project
Duration
Max. Grant Request
in € (including NI
partner, if relevant)
Single RPO
Collaborative project involving
at least two RPOs.
See also Note 2.
≤1 years
≤ €100,000
≤2 years
≤ €200,000
II.
Small Project23
Preferably involving Masters
students.
See also Note 2.
≤2 years
≤€200,000
III.
Standard Project
Collaborative project with at
least 2 RPOs.
≤4 years
≤€600,000
IV.
Large Project
Collaborative project with at
least 3 RPOs each accounting
for at least 10% of the overall
grant requested from DAFM.
See also Note 3.
≤4 years
≤€1,250,000
V.
Programme
Large strategic initiative
involving a collaboration of at
least 4 RPOs each accounting
for at least 10% of the overall
grant requested from DAFM.
See also Notes 4 and 7.
≤5 years
≤€3 million
Open to NI only if it involves collaboration
12
VI.
Thematic
Coordination
Network (Pilot)
Must involve at least 5 ongoing or recently completed
DAFM-funded projects
undertaken across 4 RPOs.
The involvement of a no. of
agri-food companies, in
particular SMEs and/or
umbrella representative
organisations is also
encouraged where
appropriate and adds value.
See also Note 5.
≤ 3 years
≤ €50,000/year
VII.
Research plus
Small institutional project to
bring near completed DAFM
funded project to point where
it is eligible for EI
commercialisation supports.
See also Note 6.
≤1 years
≤€100,000
Important Notes:
1. The grant request figures are indicative only and the upper limits should not be regarded as
targets. As one of the evaluation criteria looks at value for money, it is in the applicants’
interests to ensure that the grant requested is reasonable, commensurate with the research
activities proposed and in line with the most recent Government guidelines e.g. staff pay scales.
2. Desk/feasibility studies (Instrument I) or small scale practical bench/field research undertaken
mainly by Masters students (Instrument II) are specified as the only permitted instrument for
certain topic areas; however, they may also be the most appropriate means of addressing a
research objective in the case of several other topics.
3. In the case of Large Project proposals, a minimum of three RPO type project partners must each
account for at least 10% of the overall budget. This clause will not apply to fourth and subsequent
partners on any project. Any project that does not comply with this clause will be deemed
ineligible at preliminary assessment stage of the evaluation.
4. In the case of Programme proposals, a minimum of four public RPO type project partners must
each account for at least 10% of the overall budget. This clause will not apply to fifth and
subsequent partners on any project. Any project that does not comply with this clause will be
13
deemed ineligible at preliminary assessment stage of the evaluation.
5. The Thematic Coordination Network instrument is intended to enable the clustering of research
findings arising across a number of different projects relevant to a common theme into a network
to pool, share, mine and exploit data, methodologies, information, best practice, etc. in a manner
that will give rise to real, meaningful and immediate impact relevant to policy, practice,
legislation, production, processing or consumption. (e.g. evidence for policy formation or
negotiating stance, collating relevant research/research data to interface more readily with
RDP/EIP KT activities, etc). It is open across all agri-food research activities i.e. not just confined to
topic areas specified in this particular call.
6. Applications are invited under Research plus for projects that would pave the way towards
commercialisation of recently completed or near completed DAFM funded projects or
programmes. See Guidelines for Applicants, for further details on this funding mechanism.
7. If required, the cost of a project manager can be included in an application under funding
mechanism V.
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5. RESEARCH AREAS SPECIFIED IN CALL 2015
A. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (NI institutions eligible under Topics denoted by *)
A1.
ANIMAL PRODUCTION
Research Objectives
Research
Objectives
Animal Breeding
& Reproduction
A1.1 Collection of
phenotypes
A Feasibility study is needed to investigate the potential of large-scale
collection of difficult to measure phenotypes for genetic improvement,
e.g. feed intake, health and disease (limited to Desk study or Small
project)
A1.2 Aquaculture
breeding
Investigate and develop new diverse aquaculture species and associated
breeding programmes that utilise state of the art genetics and genomics
e.g. a focus on the broodstock available for juvenile production of farmed
salmon.
A1.3 Reproductive
performance*
Identify genetic, nutritional and management strategies for improved
reproductive performance (including calving/lambing patterns) in cattle
and sheep. This should include suitable genotypes, optimal rearing
strategies (including animal health, uterine disease diagnosis and therapy
strategies), predictive modelling and appropriate cost benefit analysis.
A1.4 Animal male
fertility
Development of early predictors and monitoring tools of male fertility in
cattle (both for natural service and AI, including bulls being used for sexed
semen) based on a robust and effective diagnostic capability involving a
clear case definition and consistent approach to diagnosing the cause(s) of
infertility.
15
Animal Well-Being (Health and Welfare)
A1.5 Diagnostics*
A1.6 Bio security
A1.7 Disease Control
Options*
Development of early warning data/surveillance systems, improved
diagnostics, vaccines and intervention strategies for the rapid recognition
and control of new and endemic infectious diseases of livestock. The
overall high level objective is to support the sustainable control of these
diseases by increasing the role played by existing and new diagnostic tools
e.g. the application of Next Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics.
Development of biosecurity strategies to improve or protect the health
status of expanding or intensive animal production systems, e.g., contract
rearing of replacement stock and share farming arrangements. (limited to
Desk Study or Small project)
Cost/benefit co-analysis of various animal disease control options to
optimise and combine where possible effective control measures and
ensure best value for money for the industry and the state. Included in
this is a need to better understand and predict the behaviour of
stakeholders (breeders, professional breeding organisations or
governments) in health management, to estimate the effectiveness of
intervention measures.
Animal Nutrition and Product Quality
A1.8 DM Intake/
Forage Chemical
Composition/
Product Quality
Investigate the influence of plant structural characteristics on voluntary
DM intake of grazing livestock, and/or the influence of forage chemical
composition on rumen fermentation, total tract digestion and product
quality (milk and meat).
A1.9 Pig diets*
Investigate ingredient processing and/or the use of feed enzymes or other
feed ingredients to increase nutrient availability or protect animals against
the development of disease and the inactivation of anti-nutritional factors
in ingredients and by-products for inclusion in pig diets.
A1.10 Dairy Cow
Nutrition*
Research to deepen knowledge on the interaction between genetics and
nutrition, and exploit the differences between individual animals in feed
efficiency with particular reference to adequate nutrition of the high
yielding dairy cow at the shoulders of the milk production cycle to prevent
cows going into negative energy balance.
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A2.
Grass, Clover, Forage, Crops and Food Horticulture
Research Objectives
Plant Production
A2.1 Novel
Crops*
Identification and development of alternative/novel crops suitable for Irish
conditions that can profitably exploit existing or novel markets and increase
crop diversity.
A2.2 Break
Crops*
Develop production systems for large-scale area break crops (proteins,
oilseeds) to improve their reliability in Irish conditions facilitating more
stable sustainable production using crop rotation.
Plant Health
A2.3 Surveillance
Strategies*
Develop improved surveillance strategies and, where appropriate,
epidemiological studies, for new and emerging pests and pathogens of
crops.
A2.4
Plant Protection
Products*
Develop improved targeting of plant protection products according to the
risk of yield or product quality loss.
Plant Breeding
A2.5
Perennial
Develop on-farm evaluation systems for perennial rye-grass and white
clover to increase the rate of genetic progress under Irish grassland farming
systems.
Rye-Grass*
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A3.
Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, Climate Change and Trans-boundary Gases
Management of Natural Resources, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
A3.1 Water Usage
A3.2 Fisheries
ecosystems*
Optimise water use in agriculture including water conservation strategies and
quantification of water footprint across food production systems.
Generate knowledge on multi species interactions, maximum sustainable yields (MSY)
management targets, mixed fisheries and the use of marine biological resources and
develop prediction and modelling tools that support an integrated approach in
management and decision making in implementing an ecosystems approach to fisheries.
A3.3 Ecosystem
Services*
Create inventories of ecosystem services provided by farmers in agricultural catchments
and place economic values on these services (limited to Desk study)
A3.4 Measures to
enhance
biodiversity*
Identify novel measures which protect and enhance biodiversity in food production and
harvesting systems (including intensive), and conduct cost-benefit analysis to identify the
most cost effective measures.
A3.5 Water
Quality*
(i) Research to further develop management practices on dairy farms, including
farmyards, to help cost-effectively mitigate against possible adverse chemical/biological
impacts on groundwater quality arising from anticipated localised/regionalised
intensification of production in the post EU milk quota era. This research could, inter alia,
investigate the potential for using precision technologies to develop a continuous
improvement tool promoting incremental improvements in farm practices and
productivity (including better targeting of nutrient applications at field scale in line with
agronomic need) that also have a beneficial impact on water quality (similar to the
Carbon Navigator principle).
(ii) Investigate the application of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology to
target mitigation measures at Critical Sources Areas (CSAs) in catchments and to monitor
the resulting effect on water quality.
This research should build on the work done to date in the Agricultural Catchments
Programme.
Applications may address either one of the above separately or both in a combined
integrated proposal.
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Soils, Land Use, Climate Change & Trans-boundary Gases
A 3.6 Nitrous
Oxide*
Reduce N2O emissions by shifting gaseous N losses from N2O to N2, and reduce
uncertainties in N2O emissions via spatial integration from field to catchment scale.
A3.7 Food
Production
Climate Analysis
Investigate the environmental and climate analysis of food production and
consumption patterns. This research should consider systems/life cycle analyses
and carbon foot-printing, including the development of Common Agricultural
Policy Regionalised Impact (CAPRI) modelling for up-scaling life cycle analyses to
the regional/national scale.
A3.8 Agriculture
and Land Use
Change*
Develop systems, models and decision support tools to assess and analyse the impacts of
agriculture and land-use change on GHG emissions and carbon stocks (including the better
exploitation and linking of existing big data sources using GIS and remote sensing
techniques). This approach is necessary to enhance our understanding of soil carbon
dynamics and its role in developing a global net-zero CO2 post 2050, plus negative CO2
emissions to mitigate residual emissions of non-CO2 GHGs.
This research should examine carbon sequestration arising from afforestation, analyse and
model the management and harvesting of forests together with the substitution and storage
effects of wood and wood products including wood fuel, in the context of projected
agricultural outputs and in light of the National Policy position of an approach to Carbon
neutrality by 2050 that complements food production.
A3.9 Marine
Climate Analysis
(i) Assess vulnerability of fisheries and aquaculture to climate change and
investigate how species and populations adapt to changing marine
environments.
(ii) Improved understanding in climate related changes in marine biodiversity
and what measures could effectively improve ecological resilience to
climate change
Applications may address either one of the above separately or both in a combined
integrated proposal if deemed more appropriate.
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B. FOOD RESEARCH (NI institutions eligible under Topics denoted by *)
Applicants are reminded to appropriately consider Bord Bia’s Consumer Lifestyle Trends 2015 before
developing a proposal.
Thematic Research Area
Research Objectives
B.1 Food Processing Technology and Engineering
B.1.1
Novel
Technologies*
(i) Investigation of new food dehydration technologies and expansion of
understanding of powder technologies and models.
(ii) Enhancement and development of lipid process technology in food
applications.
(iii) Development and use of novel applied technologies in efficient
production processes for bioactive, technological and functional Smart
ingredients or products.
(iv) Investigation and development of novel mixing, dissolution, shearing and
solubilisation technologies of food materials.
(v) Development of advanced thermal and non-thermal novel technologies
for food applications.
(vi) Development of next generation separation technologies for food
applications.
Applications can address one or more of the above or where appropriate in a
combined integrated proposal.
B.1.2
Novel
Processes &
Solutions*
(i) Development of novel processes and interventions to enhance storage
and transport of food products with particular focus on microbiological
safety, quality and nutritive stability.
(ii) Development of novel post-processing supply chain packaging and filling
solutions for food products.
Applications may address either one of the above separately or both in a
combined integrated proposal if deemed more appropriate.
B.1.3
Processing &
Bioactivity
Determine factors which result in the loss of bioactivity and changes in the
chemical composition of natural raw materials, including from marine
environments, from harvest to processing/extraction; and to define processing
conditions that will improve the stability of bioactives used as functional foods
and nutraceuticals.
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B.1.4
Waste
Management
&
Valorisation
Development of alternative food waste management and/or valorisation
opportunities for converting underutilised raw materials, food by-products and
wastes into food ingredients, functional foods and nutraceuticals whilst
optimising sensory and/or health attributes where feasible.
B.2 Food Product Development, Formulation and Sensory Science
B.2.1
Food
Components/
Ingredients
Development of new natural and formulated food systems and analytical
models to provide deep biochemical, functional and nutritive understanding of
food components/ingredients with particular focus on sensory impacts and the
potential for inclusion of bioactive nutraceuticals. The following should be
considered in this regard;
(i) Enhance the capability to understand and interpret the
biochemistry of proteins, carbohydrates , lipids & congenors and
their interactions in innovative food matrices.
(ii) Development of new fortification and formulation strategies for
specialised foods.
(iii) Develop and validate deep food formulation capability for
bioactive ingredients and extracts to optimise organoleptic
attributes, extend shelf-life and survival during processing.
(iv) Development of new formulations of liquid and dry ingredients
for application in the consumer food sector.
(v) Development of food texture and physical structure research
tools and technology to enhance the understanding of structurefunction relationship for application in food design and
development.
(vi) Development of molecular and structural understanding of
colloid interactions in food systems particularly in enhancing
emulsification applications capability.
Applications can address one or more of the above or where appropriate in a
combined integrated proposal.
B.2.2
Sea Food
Develop and enhance the understanding of the science behind ingredient
interactions to develop a structured approach to product
formulation/reformulation with a view to developing improved healthy sea
food products with maximum sensory quality for targeted markets.
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B.3 Functional Foods and Health
B.3.1
Targeted
Functional
Foods*
Development of food ingredients and foods (including fortified foods) for
cohorts of the population with specific nutritional needs. These cohorts will
include:
 infants, young children and adolescents
 older people
This should focus on research to develop foods to enhance health and wellness
throughout the lifecourse e.g. foods to enhance healthy ageing, muscle
strength, muscle mass, bone health, cardiovascular health, weight management
and physical performance. The research should be informed by market
intelligence, consumer needs and behaviour, national dietary databases, other
relevant health databases and taking account of the global regulatory
framework that governs food production and nutritional policy.
B.3.2
Food
Mechanisms
for Food
Components
Develop food formulations/food structures/delivery systems to enhance the
stability and efficacy of a range of bioactives (e.g. phenolics, peptides, lipids,
oligosaccharides), minerals, vitamins and other food components whilst
optimising sensory attributes of foods to enhance human health.
B.4 Nutrition, Health and Diet Related Diseases
B.4.1
National food
consumption and
other food and
health related
databases
Further develop, update and exploit Irish national food consumption databases,
related food compositional and other food and health data, for children (5-12
years of age) to address both nutrition and food safety issues. Appropriate
biofluids could be collected to determine biomarkers of nutrition and health
status and of food intake, as well as phenotypic and genotypic characteristics.
Where appropriate, databases should include data on physical exercise
and determinants of food choice and eating behaviour. Databases should be
designed to facilitate investigation of exposure to food ingredients, food
packaging, additives, contaminants, allergens, bioactives and microorganisms.
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C. FOREST RESEARCH (NI institutions eligible under Topics denoted by *)
C.1 Expansion of the Forest Resource
Research approaches to agroforestry on a range of agricultural land uses. Research should focus on
plantation design, suitable species, stocking densities, sustainability issues and synergies between
trees and agricultural crops, livestock and the environment. (Limited to Funding instrument I, II or
III).
C.2 Productivity*
Investigate, review and evaluate forest establishment and management practices and protocols
with a view to proposing improvements which would enhance forest productivity and sustainability
(limited to Small Project).
Specifically, this work will investigate establishment and performance of a range of tree species on
high pH sites, examine issues including free calcium in topsoil, relationship with the water table, etc
with a view to informing policy and practice on these sites.
C.3 Resource Utilisation
Research forest owners’ attitude to and understanding of the developing role and value of private
forest ownership in the context of the maturation of the private forest estate. The review could
include an investigation of the value owners place on forest ownership; the level of owner
involvement in plantation management; the level of owners’ basic knowledge; access to forestry
advice and factors influencing forest owners’ decisions (limited to Desk Study)
Focus should be directed on how best to engage with forest owners who do not actively manage
their forest resource, to examine the reasons for not engaging with sawmillers, producer groups
and other forestry representative organisations. Attitudes of private forest holders towards
certification and the new forest management plan should also be investigated.
C.4 Adding Value
Assess emerging supplies of hardwoods by considering new product development for small
diameter hardwood and assess opportunities for solid wood products, energy wood products and
other products (limited to Small Project).
This study should include examination of first, second and subsequent thinning of faster growing
broadleaves and the impact of thinning on assortments and wood quality
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C.5 Forest Resource Protection
Investigate forest planning and design options to minimise forest fire risk including; the
identification of factors which may render some forests and potential forest land as higher fire risk;
prevention and mitigation measures including the improvement of forest fire protection through
the identification of criteria and specifications for the construction and maintenance of fire breaks
(limited to Desk Study).
C.6 Ecosystem Services - Biodiversity
Research appropriate forest planning and management within hen harrier habitats. Research should
evaluate and address the interaction of forests and forest management with hen harrier and
identify opportunities and constraints for existing and/or future forest expansion and production
(limited to Small Project).
Specifically, research into practical site-focused planning and management measures that:


increase the habitat value of forests for Hen Harrier throughout the forest rotation, through
the application of (for example) varied rotation lengths, the design and management of
forest-related open space, targeted forest removal and site restoration; and
reduce the influence of pressures such as predation, fire and operational disturbance on Hen
Harrier breeding and fledgling success within forest-related habitats (e.g. 2nd rotation prethicket forest, ridelines).
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D. CROSS CUTTING RESEARCH (NI institutions eligible under Topics denoted by *)
Research Objectives
D.1 Food Chain Integrity and Safety
D.1.1 Food
Borne Viruses
Conduct a gap assessment, data generation, quantitative risk assessment and
develop risk mitigation approaches to Hepatitis E in pork and/or shellfish and/or
other relevant viruses in foods.
D.1.2
Campylobacter
Research to reduce Campylobacter in the poultry production chain with a focus
on:
(i) vaccination development and breeding of resistant poultry traits
(ii) practical affordable improvements in biosecurity on farms
(iii) practical economic risk mitigation in processing plants
Applications can address one or more of the above or where appropriate in a
combined integrated proposal.
D.1.3
Traceability &
Authenticity*
Development and application of innovative solutions to enhance the traceability
of foods, guarantee provenance and improve the efficacy and validity of
traceability systems and/or development of cutting edge techniques to
determine the authenticity of raw materials and finished foods.
D.1.4 Emerging
Risks*
Development of advanced quantitative analytical methodologies and risk tools to
manage existing and emerging national and global microbiological, toxicological,
contaminant and residue issues and the identification and characterisation of
exposure pathways and/or sources.
25
Develop an enhanced understanding of the risks posed by antimicrobial
resistance (AMR) to the food chain and potential management tools for same
with particular emphasis on the following:
D.1.5
Antimicrobial
Resistance*
(i) Development of an economic tool to model the cost of disease and
antibiotic use in the pig and poultry sectors
(ii) Performance of a case control study to investigate factors associated with
high levels of antibiotic usage on pig and poultry units
(iii) Studying the pattern of antibiotic use on farms in Ireland (amounts,
duration of treatment, dose etc) including investigating the link between
antibiotic usage (including intramammary use) and the development of
resistance in zoonotic pathogens on farms in Ireland
(iv) Development of systems for targeted delivery of antibiotics in intensive
animal production systems
Applications can address one or more of the above or where appropriate in a
combined integrated proposal.
D.2 Data, ICT & Sensors*
Exploit the convergence of agri-food biosciences with ICT and sensor technologies to establish data
science (Big Data) and/or precision-based agriculture systems that help underpin the Irish agri-food
sector and society through:



The integration of data sets arising from various sources (e.g. animal genetics, animal health &
disease, remote sensing, environmental monitoring, meteorology, soil geochemistry and
economic datasets) to inform policy, practice and drive innovation in the agri-food sector,
and/or;
Development, testing and application of sensor technologies for use in the agri-food sector,
and/or;
The improvement and development of metrics for evaluating the sustainability of food
production systems, including greater facilitation of benchmarking of the sustainability
credentials of Irish foods against international standards and market demands.
Proposals should where appropriate address a complementary combination of some of the research
priorities 1 to 13 in Section 2.9.1 of SHARP under Funding Instruments IV and V only. Such proposals
may also be extended to include aspects of other topics contained in this Call if deemed logical.
Research priorities 14 and 15 in Section 2.9.1 of SHARP should be addressed under Funding
Instrument III only.
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APPENDIX A
Eligible Irish Research Performing Organisations (RPOs)
Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) eligible to apply for funding under these programmes are
those institutions which fall within the meaning of Section One of the HEA Act, 1971 (e.g. Universities &
Institutes of Technology), Teagasc and the Marine Institute.
In recognition of the contribution of other publicly funded Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) can
make to Ireland’s agri-food and forestry research base, other RPOs may also be eligible, subject to a
qualification process, to apply for funding under the FIRM, RSF and CoFoRD programmes. In this regard, a
RPO would possess an existing in-house capacity to carry out research that materially extends and
enhances the Irish agri-food and forest research base and be in a position to demonstrate an independent
capability to undertake and lead research projects/programmes.
RPOs can apply to become eligible for the purposes of these programmes and the eligibility criteria are
set out below:
1) The organisation must be a legal entity
2) It must be a publicly funded organisation whose primary goal (accounts for more than 50% of its
activities) is to independently undertake research and innovation activities and widely
disseminate the results of such activities by way of teaching, publication or knowledge transfer
3) The organisation must possess an existing in-house capacity to carry out research that extends
and enhances the Irish research base in the agri-food and forest sectors and be able to
demonstrate an independent capability to undertake and lead research programmes, as
demonstrated by:
- Sufficient high-quality current research capacity,
- A track record of staff that have led or co-led innovative research projects, including directing
postdoctoral researchers over the previous five years;
- Sufficient financial support for research at the organisational level to ensure the availability of
essential infrastructure.
4) Organisations must ensure that the results of any research funded by the Department are made
publicly available to the agri-food and forest sector at no cost, subject to the provisions of the
National IP Protocol policy.
Once eligibility has been granted, it will last for a minimum period of 5 years. If the status of the eligible
organisation changes during this period then the eligibility to apply to our programmes would require reconsideration and a revised application should be submitted.
An application form is available on the Department’s Research webpage:
(http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/research/ ). In order to have your application assessed for eligibility
under Call 2015 applications must be submitted to research@agriculture.gov.ie no later than
29th October 2015.
27