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��ɫ��Ƶ is to lead a major research project to enhance the cyber security of cross-border critical infrastructure.

CyberUnite, co-led by Professor Donna O’Shea of UL’s School of Engineering and Dr. Kieran McLaughlin of Queen’s University Belfast’s Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT), is a €4 million project that represents the first dedicated funding awarded by an Irish government agency to support collaborative research in cybersecurity.

The project was announced by Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD as part of a €16 million allocation for four major cross-border research collaborations between higher education institutions in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

This landmark project brings together a world-class consortium of academic and industry partners, including Professor Thomas Newe from UL, Dr. Susan Rea from Munster Technological University (MTU) and Professor Utz Roedig from University College Cork (UCC), and, alongside industry partner Gas Networks Ireland (GNI). Together, they will develop innovative solutions to protect essential cross-border critical infrastructure protection from evolving cyber threats.

The CyberUnite project aims to secure cross-border critical infrastructure by advancing resilient and adaptive cybersecurity for cross-border social and economic systems. Its research methodology focuses on achieving rapid all-island, coordinated development of novel and transformative cybersecurity solutions so that key sectors of our shared economy can protect their operations against cyber-attacks. Through collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the project will enhance cyber-resilience and improve both economic and security of critical infrastructure, while also building a unified cybersecurity research ecosystem.

Commenting on the award Professor O’Shea said: “This award marks a significant milestone—not only for UL, but for the national cybersecurity research community. CyberUnite’s programme will provide the foundation for an ambitious, large-scale, all-island collaboration that will catalyse future investment, enhance capacity, and significantly grow Ireland’s global standing in cybersecurity research and innovation.

“Importantly, UL is in an incredibly strong position to lead the long-term vision for a dedicated national cybersecurity research centre. This strength is underpinned by our proven track record, the depth and quality of existing academic programmes in the School of Engineering, the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering (ECE) and research within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.”

��ɫ��Ƶ researchers are also involved in one of the other projects funded under the same scheme.

Professor Amanda Clifford, School of Allied Health, Dr Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and Associate Professor Irene Cassidy, School of Nursing and Midwifery will partner on the PD-Life project with researchers in UCC, Tyndall National Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster.

PD-Life will create the first all-island Parkinson's disease research hub, through an all-Ireland, multidisciplinary, multi-institutional approach to significantly enhance the wellbeing and quality of life for people living with Parkinson's disease.

Each of the four selected projects will receive up to €4 million over a four-year period. These projects were chosen following a highly competitive process involving 131 applications from 17 higher education institutions, evaluated by international experts. This outcome confirms the strong appetite between Ireland and Northern Ireland’s Higher Education and Research Institutions to collaborate on an all-island basis.

Announcing the funding, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said: “Deepening cooperation between higher education institutions and researchers on a cross-border basis to conduct research of economic and social benefit to the whole island is a key priority of the Government’s Shared Island Initiative.

“I am very pleased to see the Higher Education Authority in this second round of the programme enabling four major new institutional cross-border research partnerships with this focus.

“I congratulate all of the successful research teams and institutions and look forward to seeing the outputs and benefits that each project will deliver in the years ahead.”

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD said: “Since my appointment, I have actively engaged in strengthening North-South collaborations between higher-education and research institutions. Today’s announcement is a clear demonstration of the potential we unlock when we work together at scale.

“These projects, spanning cybersecurity, language and identity, Parkinson’s disease research, and inclusive design, demonstrate the potential of what shared research ambition can achieve. They will foster innovation, inform policy, and enhance quality of life across communities. Crucially, they set the stage for deeper collaboration in the years ahead.”

The investment is delivered through the second call of the North-South Research Programme (NSRP), administered by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and is a key pillar of the Government’s Shared Island strategy, advancing an all-island research agenda that strengthens cross-border ties and delivers real, lasting impact for communities across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Higher Education Authority CEO, Dr Alan Wall added: “The Higher Education Authority is delighted to deliver the North South Research Programme which is a unique funding mechanism supporting the growth of research collaboration across all disciplines on an all-island basis. Projects funded under Call 2 have been selected based on excellence following a competitive call for proposals. Each project will receive up to €4 million over four years. The Call 2 projects will build on the success of Call 1 and further strengthen collaboration, research capacity and knowledge sharing on the island of Ireland.”

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