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Frequently Asked Questions
General
Research Development Office
Contracts
Technology Transfer
Entrepreneurship
General
- Where is TR&I?
We are in the O'Reilly Institute (College Map).
Research Development Office
- Which sponsors require institutional signatures?
ALL research proposals from TCD must be signed off by the Research Development Office.
- How much notice does the Research Development Office require for the signature?
At least 48 hours' notice is required unless internal deadline is set. Please note that large proposals require longer timescales.
- What signatures do I need to supply for sign-off?
Signatures of the Principal Investigator, Head of School and collaborators (if any) please.
- Do I need the signature of the Head of School if the sponsor does not require it?
Yes, it is a TCD requirement.
- Which parts of the proposal does the Research Development Office check?
We can give advice on the full proposal but we MUST check your budget and budget justification. Budgets can be emailed in advance of submission of the signature page. We can give advise on proposal content but please allow us sufficient time to look at your proposal and make suggestions if needed.
- What salaries do I use for contract researchers, technical and administrative staff?
Please see Contract researcher salary scales for details of what Employers PRSI, pension and social benefits must be included in your application. Note there are four different scales for Irish sponsors, SFI, Non-Irish sponsors and Wellcome Trust.
- How do I cost a research proposal?
Guidelines on costing research proposals, including overheads, travel, VAT and other costs. Current student fees rates
- What is the College overhead rate?
Industry: 40% overhead; and at least 20% overhead on ALL other funding bodies, except SFI. SFI provides overheads to the College in the form of the Overhead Investment Plan (OIP) so do not include overheads in your SFI budget.
- Can Contract or Retired staff be a PI on a proposal?
Yes if they complete the form and if their contract length covers the period of funding.
- Do I require an Intellectual Property (IP) agreement?
Yes if your research involves an industrial sponsor, SFI, Wellcome Trust or Enterprise Ireland. Forms are available on the Documents & Forms. Any applications involving industrial partners must be shown to Dr Margaret Woods prior to endorsement.
- I am applying for a Science Foundation Ireland funding scheme, what documentation do I need to provide?
All SFI grant applicants need to submit an Intellectual Property form and a Sign-off form (signed by the PI and Head of School) to the Research Development Office.
- I am a researcher who is on a contract. Are there any regulations governing my applying for research funding?
If your contract covers you for the period of funding you can apply. If not then you must ensure that the sponsor allows you to ask for monies to cover your salary for any extra time you will require to cover the period of the funding. See also Contract Staff Sign-off Sheet (Documents & Forms).
- How can I keep up to date on research funding opportunities and research information?
By subscribing to Research Focus. You will receive email bulletins informing you of upcoming grant deadlines, research seminars and information.
- Where can I find a information on internal funding schemes in TCD?
All schemes are advertised via Research Focus and on our website.
- Does the Research Development Office sign SOCRATES-Erasmus proposals?
No, the Research Development Office only signs off on research applications to external sponsors. For SOCRATES-Erasmus, contact the European Affairs Officer, International Student Affairs.
- Where is the Research Development Office?
We are on the 1st floor of the O'Reilly Institute (College Map).
Contracts
- Where is the Contracts Section?
We are on the 2nd floor of Trinity Research & Innovation in the O'Reilly Institute (College Map).
Technology Transfer
- Is my Discovery an Invention?
If you have something new then we are here to help you determine whether it has commercial potential.
- Why commercialise research?
Reduction to practice will enable the largest possible number of people to benefit from your research. Contact with industry often provides the means for further research funding. You receive financial rewards from commercially viable licence deals, as does your school and the University. The Irish economy benefits from the additional revenue/jobs/companies-formed due to utilisation of your research.
- Does patenting stop me from publishing or presenting my research?
Once a patent is filed you can publish or present your work without losing the legal right conferred by patent protection. For this reason it is best to contact the TTO well in advance of a planned publication or conference date.
- Why protect my research?
In many cases the existence of protection is the only incentive companies have to licence technologies from Trinity as they guarantee that company exclusive rights to sell it. Some technology such as software is best protected by copyright.
- Where is the Technology Transfer Office?
We are on the ground floor of Trinity Research & Innovation in the O'Reilly Institute (College Map).
Entrepreneurship
- Where is the Entrepreneurship Section?
We are in TTEC - the Trinity Technology and Entreprise Campus on Pearse Street.
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