More than €25 million was today pledged to fund 27 research projects which the Government claims will help create new jobs in the so-called smart economy.
Some 139 third-level researchers benefiting from the money are working on schemes focusing on energy, environmental protection, health, agriculture and telecommunications.
Minister for Enterprise Batt O'Keeffe said the projects would help boost jobs as they focus on turning ideas into commercially viable schemes.
"The wide range of projects on which the selected researchers are working capture the calibre of work under way in our higher education institutions," Mr O'Keeffe said.
The money, pledged over the next five years, is being awarded by Science Foundation Ireland, which supports more than 3,200 researchers working with almost 400 domestic and international firms.
The researchers are based in third-level colleges across the State.
Intel, Sigma Aldich, Seagate, ESB and Eirgrid are among the partner companies involved in the research projects.
The money is being provided under SFI's principal investigator programme, which supports work in the life science, information communications technology and sustainable energy sectors.
SFI director general Professor Frank Gannon said that by selecting top class researchers partnerships with leading industries in the country can be developed.
PA