[1] Following a Technology Foresight activity managed by Forfás, the Irish Government allocated €1.3bn under the 2000–2006 National Development Plan to spend on R&D.

In 2006, under the next National Development Plan, under the Strategy for Science, Technology & Innovation (SSTI), the Irish Government allotted a further €3.7B to spend on R&D.

Patrick O'Donovan, Harris's successor as minister, set 1 August as the establishment date of Taighde Éireann.

SFI also facilitates co-operative efforts among education, government, and industry that support its fields of emphasis and promotes Ireland's ensuing achievements around the world.

Eligible research areas, or themes, may vary according to the scope and objectives of an individual programme and are described in the relevant call documentation.

Graham Love acted as interim Director General of SFI from the departure of Frank Gannon until the appointment of Mark Ferguson.

Proposals are evaluated in open competitions via a combination of international peer review and strategic fit with SFI's mission.

These partnerships work, in some cases, by sharing the funding costs between the two agencies or in others, by facilitating Irish entry into the UK based fellowship.

The programme facilitates knowledge transfer and training, building critical mass in areas of strategic importance for Ireland.

[23] Technology Innovation Development Award (TIDA) is a joint funded initiative by SFI and Enterprise Ireland (EI).

[24] Every year Science Foundation Ireland celebrates the achievements of Irish Scientists, engineers and business leaders living and working in the USA.

It consists of a week-long programme of events across Ireland each November to make science more interesting and accessible to children and adults alike.

The national media and promotional campaign is coordinated by SFI's Discover Programme with over 800 events taking place throughout the country.

[29] The SFI Discover Programme was set up to catalyse, inspire and guide STEM education and public engagement.

Science was deemed to be highly valued both for economic growth and personal prosperity but only half the population felt adequately informed.