Since its launch, SETU - TU RISE (Technological University Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise) has been instrumental in strengthening research capacity and deepening our engagement with enterprises across the South East region.
Co-financed by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021–27 and the Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021–27, TU RISE is enabling South East Technological University (SETU) to drive impactful research and innovation that supports enterprise needs, nurtures talent, and contributes to regional and national growth.
Building research capacity with purpose
SETU has made significant progress in developing a thriving research environment focused on collaboration, impact, and excellence. Key achievements to date include:
- Creation of 50+ new research roles, including Postdoctoral Researchers and Research Support Officers, across all campuses, boosting SETU’s ability to lead and deliver on regional and national research priorities.
- Award of 10 TU RISE PhD Scholarships and 10 new Postdoctoral Fellowships, with each candidate spending 12 months embedded in a partner enterprise, helping to address real-world challenges while gaining industry experience.
- Development of new enterprise partnerships across priority sectors, including advanced manufacturing, health, digital transformation, sustainability, and the bioeconomy.
- Delivery of targeted training and mentoring for researchers at all career stages, strengthening skills in research leadership, funding acquisition, and collaboration with enterprise.
- Support for enterprise-led innovation, through enhanced collaboration with SMEs and start-ups in the region, in close partnership with our faculties. New Academic-Enterprise Liaisons have been recruited and are actively working to match regional enterprises with SETU researchers across the University.
- Creation of 2 new Rural Innovation Hubs in Co. Carlow and Co. Kilkenny,
Supporting rural innovation and engagement
As part of TU RISE, SETU has also established two Rural Innovation Hubs, providing key infrastructure to foster innovation, research collaboration, and enterprise development in rural communities.
Located in Hacketstown in County Carlow and Urlingford in County Kilkenny, these hubs are designed to bring SETU’s research and innovation expertise closer to communities and businesses throughout the region.
Each hub supports:
- Access to SETU research and enterprise supports,
- Regional networking and knowledge exchange,
- Programmes that promote entrepreneurship, digital upskilling, and rural resilience,
- A platform for piloting collaborative research projects in rural settings.
It is hoped to create two additional hubs in County Waterford and County Wexford in the next stage of development.
By anchoring innovation locally, TU RISE is helping to ensure balanced regional development and enabling rural areas to play a more active role in Ireland’s knowledge economy.
Regional impact, national ambition
TU RISE is a key enabler of SETU’s mission to be a catalyst for regional transformation. Through this programme, we are:
- Growing our capacity to work hand-in-hand with industry.
- Supporting a pipeline of future-ready researchers and innovators.
- Advancing inclusive, sustainable development for the South East and beyond.
This progress reflects the commitment of our researchers, enterprise partners, and support teams—and the trust placed in SETU through TU RISE funding.
We are proud of what has been achieved so far, and we look forward to continuing this journey of collaboration and impact.