Deadline: October 21, 2022
Do you have an idea for a disruptive digital technology that can realise transformational societal and economic impact for Ireland? Apply for the Future Digital Challenge 2022.
The Future Digital Challenge will support researchers in creating disruptive digital technologies that will lead to new digital products, processes or services that will unlock transformational societal and economic impact for Ireland. Participation in the challenge will involve teams progressing through phases, each supporting further development of the challenge concept and solution, to compete for an overall Prize Award of €1M.
It is an agile, fast-paced programme that allows research teams to work with societal stakeholders to deliver tangible impact through their research. In addition to funding, teams are provided with training and mentoring to support the acceleration of an idea and to demonstrate how it can solve real-world problems. Participation has the potential to foster significant career development and collaborative opportunities.
Challenge Description
The Future Digital Challenge will support researchers in creating disruptive digital technologies that will lead to new digital products, processes or services that will unlock transformational societal and economic impact for Ireland. The Future Digital Challenge will build leadership in deep tech and, by demonstration of impact potential, inform future approaches, research priorities and policy on how digital transformation can enhance the society and economy.
Under this challenge, researchers are invited to develop innovative and sustainable future products, processes or services, based on cross-cutting digital technologies including, for example: Sensors; Mobile Communication Systems; Internet of Things (IOT); Data (incl., Small, Big, Open) and Analytics (incl., Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning); Distributed Ledger Technology (e.g., Blockchain); XR (i.e., Mixed Reality); Simulation and Digital Twins.
Funding
- The Future Digital Challenge comprises four phases: Concept, Seed, Grow and Prize Award. Participation in the challenge will involve teams progressing through phases, each supporting further development of the challenge concept and solution, to compete for an overall Prize Award of €1M.
Eligibility
- Applications are welcome from teams of academic researchers based at eligible Irish research bodies.
- Teams are strongly encouraged to consider including researchers from different and diverse disciplines, at all career stages.
- In addition to two academic researchers, core teams must also include a third member who will bring specific knowledge or experience of the societal challenge the team is proposing to address. Over the course of the challenge, teams will evolve and expand to further support the project development.
Application
The deadline for submission of applications to this call will be October 21, 2022 (13:00 Dublin Local Time).
Applications must be submitted through SFI’s Grants Management System - SESAME.
For more information, visit Future Digital Challenge.