QUEEN'S University Belfast and University College Dublin have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen collaboration and research between both institutions.
The aim is to "enhance cooperation in research and innovation in areas of mutual strength", including arts and humanities, climate and sustainability, healthcare and cancer as well as manufacturing and digital technologies.
Each institution will also explore opportunities for collaboration in emerging areas of expertise and in academic and postgraduate student mobility.
Queen's and UCD were recently successful in 10 jointly-led proposals under the Higher Education Authority’s north-south research programme funded through the Irish government’s Shared Island Fund.
These included the All-island Vaccine Research and Training Alliance and the All-Island Cancer Research Institute - as well as projects in healthcare, social justice, creative arts and the bio-economy.
Queen's pro-vice-chancellor Prof Emma Flynn said that by "working together to advance cooperation, academic exchanges and research is a positive and important way to blend our expertise for the benefit of society as a whole".
"The enhanced connectivity delivered to our universities and communities through these projects will ensure that our cutting-edge research continues to make a real difference to our society," she said.
"This is an exciting time for Queen’s as we lead on the delivery of three Belfast Region City Deal Innovation Centres in advanced manufacturing, clinical research and secure, connected digital technologies.
"Linking at scale into UK and all-island networks is vital to the success of these centres and we greatly value research partnerships with organisations like UCD to help us create global impact where it truly matters."
Prof Orla Feely, vice-president for research, innovation and impact at UCD, also said: "This agreement formalises a significant and close partnership between the two institutions and expresses our ambition to jointly contribute our expertise to co-develop solutions to shared global challenges.
"UCD looks forward to participating in future all-island and international funding programmes with Queen’s University Belfast, together with other higher education and industry partners, which will have transformative impacts for citizens and support talent for the jobs of the future on the island of Ireland."
