New ARC Hub Launched to Accelerate Research-to-Impact Pathway
•January 30, 2026
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Companies Mentioned
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking
European Commission
Why It Matters
By closing the gap between research and market, the ARC Hub will accelerate Ireland’s ICT sector, driving jobs and export revenue. Its EU‑backed model showcases how coordinated funding can translate academic breakthroughs into tangible economic impact.
Key Takeaways
- •€32.21 million funded hub accelerates ICT research commercialization.
- •Co‑funded by Irish government and EU ERDF regional programme.
- •Provides funding, mentorship, training, industry network for AI researchers.
- •TU Dublin leads with 88% research funding growth since 2020.
- •Aims to boost Ireland’s global ICT and AI competitiveness.
Pulse Analysis
Ireland’s ICT and AI landscape boasts world‑class talent, yet many breakthroughs stall before reaching the market. Historically, researchers have faced fragmented support, limited access to capital, and a shortage of commercial expertise. The ARC Hub for ICT directly addresses these gaps by consolidating funding streams, offering structured mentorship, and linking academia with industry partners, creating a clear pathway from lab to launch.
The Hub’s €32.21 million budget, co‑funded by the Irish State and the EU’s European Regional Development Fund, underpins a suite of services: competitive grants for proof‑of‑concept work, intensive commercialization training, and curated networking events with potential investors and corporate partners. Aligned with EU cohesion objectives, the programme also strengthens regional innovation ecosystems, ensuring that research outcomes benefit local economies and contribute to broader European competitiveness. Early metrics anticipate dozens of spin‑outs, increased patent filings, and a measurable uplift in export‑ready ICT solutions.
For TU Dublin, the Hub reinforces its reputation as Ireland’s leading knowledge‑transfer university. With an 88 % surge in research funding since 2020 and a track record of over 200 licensing deals, the institution is uniquely positioned to shepherd projects through the commercialisation funnel. The initiative is expected to generate high‑value jobs, attract further private investment, and cement Ireland’s status as a European hub for digital innovation, offering a replicable model for other regions seeking to translate scientific excellence into economic growth.
New ARC Hub Launched to Accelerate Research-to-Impact Pathway
The Research Ireland ARC (Accelerating Research to Commercialisation) Hub for ICT was officially launched today at TU Dublin’s Grangegorman campus, marking a major new national initiative designed to accelerate the journey from cutting-edge ICT and artificial intelligence research to real-world, commercially viable solutions with economic and societal impact
Hosted by Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) and supported by national and European partners, the ARC Hub for ICT has been established following TU Dublin’s successful €32.21 million funding award to address a critical gap in Ireland’s innovation and funding ecosystem by providing researchers with a structured pathway from research excellence to commercial and societal impact. The Hub will support ICT and AI researchers across Ireland through targeted funding, training, mentorship, and access to industry networks.
ARC Hub Launched to Accelerate Research-to-Impact Pathway
Supported by Research Ireland, the ARC Hub for ICT is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027. The ARC Hub for ICT aligns with national research priorities and European regional development objectives. Through collaboration between academia, industry, policymakers, and funding bodies, the Hub aims to strengthen Ireland’s position as a leader in ICT and AI innovation.
Dr Deirdre Lillis, President of TU Dublin, said:
“TU Dublin is proud to lead this important national initiative. As Ireland’s number one university for knowledge transfer, we have a strong track record of driving innovation in collaboration with industry, delivering more than 550 industry-linked research projects. The ARC Hub for ICT builds on this momentum by supporting researchers to translate innovation into application, delivering meaningful benefits for society and the economy.”
James Lawless TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, said:
“The ARC Hub for ICT will play a critical role in supporting our researchers to translate cutting-edge research into commercial impact, driving growth and innovation both regionally and nationally. With today’s launch, the ARC Hub for ICT team, comprising interdisciplinary researchers from across or higher education sector have further showcased their talent and the scale of their ambition. I share that ambition and I look forward to seeing the ARC Hub for ICT, based in and led by TU Dublin, progress in its endeavours, its collaborations and its impact over the coming years.”
Prof Sarah Jane Delany, Director of the ARC Hub for ICT, added:
The ARC Hub for ICT is about unlocking the full potential of Ireland’s world-class ICT and AI research. By providing a clear, supported pathway from research to impact, we are empowering researchers to transform innovative ideas into solutions that address real-world challenges.”
Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, addressing the launch, commented:
“Investment in ICT research accounts for a third of Research Ireland’s funding, with approximately €547million of awards currently active across a broad range of programmes, specialisations and higher education institutions. The ARC Hub programme is one of the most imaginative and potentially disruptive programmes ever delivered by Research Ireland. At its heart is a scalable model of entrepreneurism that will generate and convert talent and ideas into future enterprises.”
Sofia Alves, Director, DG Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission, said:
“The ARC Hub for ICT is a strong example of how EU Cohesion Policy can transform excellent research into real economic and societal impact. By strengthening regional innovation ecosystems, fostering collaboration across institutions, and supporting researchers in engaging with markets, this initiative addresses one of Europe’s key challenges: ensuring that innovation delivers tangible benefits for regions, citizens, and businesses alike.”
The launch event brought together leaders from Government, higher education, research funding, industry, and European institutions, reflecting the initiative’s national and international significance. Speakers included TU Dublin President Dr Deirdre Lillis, Sofia Alves, Director, DG Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission, and Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, alongside other senior leaders from TU Dublin and the national research community. The programme also featured a keynote address by Niamh Bushnell, former Dublin Commissioner for Startups and founder of TechIreland.
TU Dublin’s leadership of the ARC Hub for ICT is underpinned by significant growth in research capacity and funding. Since 2020, the university has increased its research funding by 88 per cent, from approximately €14.5 million to €27.3 million in 2024, reflecting sustained investment in research excellence, innovation, and industry engagement.
Ireland has a strong, internationally recognised ICT research base, with expertise spanning artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, and digital technologies. However, many promising research outputs struggle to progress beyond the early stages of development. The ARC Hub for ICT responds to this challenge by equipping researchers with the skills, support, and connections needed to navigate the commercialisation process more effectively.
The launch also served as a call to action for ICT researchers across Ireland to engage with the ARC Hub for ICT and avail of its support to help bridge the gap between research and industry.
Find out more about the ARC Hub for ICT here
About Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin)
Creating a Better World Together—Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) is Ireland’s first Technological University and the second-largest university in the capital, serving 28,000 students across five campuses in Grangegorman, Blanchardstown, Tallaght, Bolton Street, and Aungier Street, with a dedicated research facility on Camden Row. A national leader in STEM, engineering, creative arts, and business education, TU Dublin integrates academic excellence with real-world application through a distinctive practice-based, employer-engaged model.
TU Dublin is a hub of innovation and translational research, where over 850 academics are engaged in impactful, interdisciplinary work addressing global challenges in sustainability, health, digital transformation, and cultural inclusion. The University’s research funding has increased by 88% since 2020, and its open-access repository Arrow has seen more than 14.5 million downloads. TU Dublin researchers play a key role in advancing science and technology, shaping public policy, and enriching Ireland’s cultural and economic landscape.
As a recognised leader in knowledge transfer, TU Dublin has facilitated over 578 invention disclosures, 136 patent applications, 44 spin-out companies, and 226 licensing agreements, generating over €200 million in commercial impact. The University’s research and innovation ecosystem has supported the creation of more than 400 new sustainable businesses, contributing almost €700 million in economic value.
TU Dublin is also a global sustainability leader. Its strategic commitment to inclusive, future-focused education and research earned it a Gold STARS® accreditation from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and a global ranking of 17th out of nearly 600 institutions worldwide.
With a strong international outlook, TU Dublin actively collaborates with partners across Europe, Asia, and the Americas through major cross-border research initiatives, mobility programmes, and knowledge networks. Producing over 7,000 graduates annually, TU Dublin is building a better future through impactful research, innovation, and globally connected education.
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