The Government has launched a €65million research climate and digital fund to help Ireland become climate neutral by 2050 and address the challenges of disruptive technologies.

Further and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said the areas of green transition and digital transformation are among the "greatest challenges our country and our world faces".

He added: "We have to help people through these changes. This fund will help every one of us by navigating the best way forward."

The National Challenge Fund comprises eight challenges. In total, it aims to fund about 90 research teams with up to €250,000 each over 18 months.

Teams will then be able to vie for follow-on funding of up to €500,000 before going on to compete for prizes of up to €2million.

In Association with

The first two challenges are open for applications. These include the 2050 Challenge: to develop transformative, forward-looking solutions to become climate neutral by 2050 and the Future Digital Challenge: address the challenge from disruptive digital technologies.

Awards for each phase will be made between this year and 2026.