The Government is to spend €296m over the next five years on research in third-level institutions.
The money will be spent funding buildings and also directly on individual research projects.
Making the announcements the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Innovation Batt O'Keeffe said the plan was the largest investment in research in the history of the State.
An additional €62m has been contributed to match Government funding from private sources.
Overall the funding announced today comprises €260m to be spent on infrastructure and almost €100m directly on research projects.
