RTÉ is to expand its coverage of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) as a result of a pilot initiative being run in conjunction with Science Foundation Ireland (SFI).
Over the next year SFI will give the national broadcaster €500,000 in grant funding to help with the cost of producing further TV programming in the area.
The programmes will be broadcast in prime time slots on RTÉ One and are in addition to those already planned across RTÉ One, RTÉ2, RTÉjr and RTÉ Radio 1.
The two organisations are seeking proposals for programmes with a strong science theme, broad popular appeal and relevance to Irish audiences.
RTÉ and SFI have also issued a call for ideas for a "large-scale, event-based science and technology related project".
It is intended that this strand of programming will be supported through the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's Sound and Vision funding programme, which will be decided in July.
