Science Foundation Ireland says it gave out €365.3m last year for investment in research, bringing the total since €1 billion since the organisation was set up in 2001.
Its annual grants budget for 2008 will be €172m, up from €156m in 2007.
At a board meeting in Cork this morning, Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Micheál Martin also gave details of a new €31.2m investment in equipment.
This is aimed at boosting the amount and quality of research through a significant investment in additional resources and infrastructure in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
The foundation is charged with awarding scientific research grants to scientists - mainly in academia - over the next six years as part of the National Development Plan.
