Two research projects at Maynooth University have been granted over €500,000 in combined funding under the national Research Ireland COALESCE programme. The grants, announced recently, will support work addressing critical societal challenges, from environmental sustainability to social equality.
Prof Özgür Bayram, of the Department of Biology, received nearly €317,000 for a joint Irish-Vietnamese initiative. His project, "Transforming Coffee Industry Waste into Sustainable Mycoprotein for Circular Economic Growth," aims to combat the significant environmental threat posed by coffee production waste. Working in partnership with Van-Tuan Tran of Vietnam National University, the project seeks to convert this waste into a sustainable protein source, creating a more circular economy and a cleaner environment.
Meanwhile, a collaborative project led by Dr Barry Cannon of the Department of Sociology and Dr Joseph Timoney of Maynooth International Engineering College was awarded close to €220,000. Their research, titled "Liberalism’s Shadow," will analyze the content and impact of far-right discourse on marginalized communities in Ireland during the 2024/25 electoral cycle. The project aims to identify strategies to ensure Ireland continues to foster a more equitable society for all.
The COALESCE programme, which allocated a total of €4.7 million to 19 projects this year, is designed to back research that tackles a broad spectrum of societal issues. The funding highlights Maynooth University's commitment to impactful research that extends beyond academic theory to deliver real-world solutions.
