Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, has today announced the launch of a new Targeted Enhancement Fund (TEF). Managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), the fund will provide up to €65.8 million over a 36-month period, offering targeted support for strategic initiatives within Technological Universities, Institutes of Technology, and publicly funded specialist colleges.
Speaking at the announcement, Minister Lawless emphasised the importance of the fund for regional and national development:
“This investment of almost €66 million in our Technological Universities, Institutes of Technology and specialist colleges underpins one of my strategic objectives for my department – to act as an economic enabler by investing in people, in research, and in regional capacity.
“Through this scheme I am providing targeted support for initiatives critical to the strategic development of these institutions. This is about ensuring that students can learn, live and work in their region and that our higher education institutions are equipped to drive future growth, inclusion, and competitiveness.”
The TEF aims to:
Support strategic institutional development in the technological and specialist college sectors.
Enhance the performance and impact of TUs, IoTs and specialist colleges.
Facilitate the implementation of key national policies and initiatives, including the TURN report and the OECD review of Technological University academic structures.
Strengthen research capacity and enterprise engagement, particularly in regional settings.
“Building on the momentum of previous funding streams,” Minister Lawless added, “the TEF is an investment in our national ambition to further strengthen our smart, skilled knowledge economy.”
Dr Alan Wall, CEO of the HEA, welcomed the launch and outlined the potential of the TEF to support growth:
“This funding will support institutions to achieve their strategic ambitions, contributing to the growth and success of our Technological Universities and enhancing the initiatives underway in institutes of technology and specialist colleges.
“The TEF will provide targeted support for a range of activities that are aligned with institutions’ strategic plans and appropriate to the context and stage of development of eligible institutions.”
The fund is built around a number of strategic themes, identified through the HEA’s engagement with higher education institutions as part of the 2024 Strategy and Performance Dialogue process. These themes include:
Investment in project management and digital infrastructure
Staff development and training
Enhancing student outcomes and learner experiences
Regional engagement and partnerships
Climate action and sustainability
Coherence and consolidation across the higher education system
Research capacity building (for specialist colleges)
Dr Wall noted:
“Investment in these areas will enhance the capabilities of institutions and further demonstrate their economic, social, and educational impact in regions across Ireland.”
The TEF builds on a foundation of significant state investment in higher education reform since 2017, including funding streams such as the Technological University Transformation Fund (TUTF), Technological Sector Advancement Fund (TSAF), TU RISE, and the N-TUTORR project, part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, co-funded by the European Union.
The TEF will also help institutions to mainstream selected strategic initiatives previously supported under time-bound schemes such as the Human Capital Initiative and Performance Funding, as well as support further landscape reform within the sector.
Eligible institutions are invited to submit applications by 17:00 on 21 August 2025, with successful projects scheduled to commence on 1 January 2026.
