Marine & Freshwater Research Centre (MRFC)

The Marine & Freshwater Research Centre (MFRC) is a dynamic research hub at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in Galway, dedicated to enhancing the management of marine and freshwater ecosystems in Ireland and globally. The Centre conducts policy-relevant, applied research to address critical environmental challenges.

Committed to collaborative innovation, the MFRC works closely with industry and public sector stakeholders to co-develop practical policy and management solutions to environmental issues. Research is supported by industry partnerships and diverse national and European funding programmes.

The Centre comprises of 45 research-active, academic staff and contract researchers, and 60 postgraduate students. Research contracts secured through national and international consortia bring over €10 million in direct research funding to the ATU. Funding sources include national (BIM, EPA, Marine Institute, Enterprise Ireland, NPWS, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Department of the Environment, Irish Research Council, SFI) and international (INTERREG, EU commission, ICCAT, FAO, NOAA) sources.

Since 2013, MFRC researchers published ~350 peer-reviewed manuscripts and regularly contribute to expert advisory groups such as ICES, ICCAT, JPI Oceans, OSPAR, FAO.

ATU is a member of EuroMarine, the European Marine Board and the EU Green Alliance. Additionally, ATU serves as Ireland’s Higher Education Institution (HEI) partner for the ERASMUS+ European International Master’s in Marine Biological Resources (IMBRSea).