Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and AMBER, the Research Ireland Centre for Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research, have officially launched the European Space Agency (ESA) Phi-Lab Ireland - a pioneering six-year programme designed to drive innovation in space technologies within companies in Ireland.

Ireland, as a global leader in advanced manufacturing and materials science, will address the thematic area of space-optimised hardware. Phi-Lab Ireland will fund cutting-edge research across the entire life-cycle from materials discovery and testing, to the scaled production of components optimised for the unique and challenging environment of space.

Benefiting from the combined capabilities of two of Ireland's leading research organisations, Phi-Lab Ireland will also offer access to expert mentorship and training programmes, state-of-the-art research infrastructure, comprehensive networking opportunities, and significant seed funding for projects up to 24-months.

Welcoming the expansion of the European Space Agency's Phi-Lab network to Ireland, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, said "the launch of ESA's Phi-Lab Ireland offers Irish companies a great opportunity to further develop in the areas of advanced manufacturing and materials innovation.

Available to space active companies and to companies who up to now haven't considering entering into this market, Phi-Lab Ireland will offer expert mentoring and training programmes, access to state of the art research infrastructure and critical seed funding up to €400k.

Working in partnership with ESA, IMR and AMBER, two of Ireland's leading research organisations, will strengthen the capability of the growing Irish space eco-system and I look forward to Irish companies taking their place in the globally competitive space sector. I am particularly pleased to see this degree of endeavour and innovation taking place here in Mullingar in my own constituency".

"The establishment of ESA's Phi-Lab in Ireland marks a pivotal moment in our journey to position Ireland at the forefront of space innovation. The initiative reflects our continuing partnership with the European Space Agency and our shared ambition to harness cutting-edge technologies for economic growth and global impact.

Phi-Lab Ireland will empower Irish companies to lead in the development of transformative advanced manufacturing technologies, unlocking new markets and creating high-value opportunities for the future" said Minister of State for Small Businesses and Retail, Alan Dillon, on the launch of Phi-Lab Ireland as part of the expanding ESA Phi-Lab network.

Phi-Lab Ireland's first funding call for research project proposals from Irish companies seeking to grow in Ireland's developing space ecosystem is now open. Unique to Phi-Lab Ireland, projects are welcome from companies who in the past may have never considered their products for the space sector, and also current space-active companies seeking to advance their position in this market and/or bring their innovations to larger terrestrial markets.

Commenting on the launch of Phi-Lab Ireland's first funding call, Dr. Ken Horan, Director of Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship at IMR and Head of ESA Phi-Lab Ireland said "ESA Phi-Lab Ireland is a unique opportunity for Irish SMEs, start-ups, and researchers to become leaders in space-focused innovation.

Today the Space sector offers opportunities akin to those presented by the MedTech sector a few decades ago and before that, ICT manufacturing. These have become cornerstones of the Irish economy. We want to see Ireland equivalently recognised as a global leader in the Space sector and are building a national competence centre to advance this ambition".

Prof. Mick Morris, Director of the AMBER Centre added "AMBER are delighted to partner with IMR to support Irish industry and researchers in exploring new commercial opportunities in the space sector. This activity will build on our...