Research Opportunities - Atlantic Technological University

Research and Innovation supporting Enterprise

RISE@ATU is a transformative four-year research initiative designed to align with Ireland’s Smart Specialisation Strategy, linking academic research with regional enterprise.

Through five distinct Postgraduate Research Training Programmes (PRTPs), RISE@ATU addresses strategic regional challenges with high impact, applied research that supports real-world innovation and enterprise development.

Aligned with our Strategic Plan (2024–2028) for Engaged Research with Impact, RISE@ATU aims to build robust research networks, drive interdisciplinary collaboration, foster entrepreneurship, and provide resources that stimulate innovation.

Objectives:

Elevating Regional Impact
Leading in Strategic Research Areas
Collaboration and Partnerships
Empowering Faculty and Student Researchers
Measurable Impact and Continuous Improvement

Programmes & Projects

Postgraduate Research Training Programmes (PRTPs) are a key element of RISE@ATU under the HEA TU RISE call. They are designed to enhance research capacity through cross-college collaboration within ATU, while implementing international best practice in cohort-based doctoral training. RISE@ATU PRTPs are designed to align with the National Smart Specialisation Strategy for Innovation (S3) and will stimulate collaboration with regional enterprise.

The specific objectives of RISE@ATU PRTPs are to:

Establish excellent, cohort-based training programmes within environments of research excellence across ATU
Develop highly trained and skilled postgraduate researchers who are strongly networked within S3 priority sectors identified for the North-West region
Equip graduates with the agility to adapt to evolving workplaces through the provision of transversal, transferable and field-specific skills and individual development supports
Forge strong and substantial collaborations with regional enterprise in the design and delivery of innovative programmes of research and training
Drive the development of groundbreaking technologies, accelerating the pace of innovation and enhancing competitiveness in areas of smart specialisation
Leverage external funding for postgraduate research to grow the scale and impact of PRTPs

“As the largest funded project in ATU history, RISE@ATU aims to build regional and economic growth, industrial specialism, and collaborations across companies and academia. TU RISE is a key funding scheme that supports ATU to develop opportunities that will enhance research capacity and engagement with regional enterprises.”
— Dr. Orla Flynn, President of ATU