A new brief report from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, "Irish Participation in EU-funded Dementia Research: Current Landscape & Future Opportunities", explores Ireland's involvement in EU-funded dementia research since 2015. The report identified 34 projects involving Irish institutions, with researchers leading and contributing to work on early diagnosis, biomarkers, digital health technologies, dementia care and prevention.
Ireland-based researchers are helping to shape the future of dementia research across Europe. Despite these achievements, the report concludes that Ireland has yet to realise its full research potential on the EU stage. Participation in EU-funded dementia research remains concentrated within a relatively small number of institutions, and Ireland achieved 43% of the maximum available score for dementia research activity in the European Dementia Monitor 2023, published by Alzheimer Europe.
However, Ireland has the expertise to make a much greater contribution to European dementia research than it currently does. The challenge is not a lack of talented and innovative researchers, but ensuring they have the funding, infrastructure and support to create international partnerships needed to succeed. Sustained investment in research careers, stronger support for EU funding applications and deeper engagement with international research networks are needed to enable more Irish researchers to participate in, and lead, European collaborations.
The report also highlights the important role of organisations such as Alzheimer Europe in bringing together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, national Alzheimer associations and people with lived experience to shape the future of dementia research. This year's Alzheimer Europe Conference in Dublin provides a timely opportunity to showcase Irish research, strengthen international partnerships and explore how European countries can continue working together to accelerate progress in dementia research. With the right investment and collaboration, Ireland is well placed to make an even greater contribution to improving the lives of people living with dementia and their families across Europe.
