Manufacturing & Supply Chain

The SPEAR Centre (Semiconductor Photonics Education and Research Centre) has been launched at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) campus in Letterkenny, County Donegal. This project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It will be led by Atlantic Technological University through its WiSAR Lab in partnership with Ulster University, the Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork, and Seagate Technology. It represents a total investment of €8.46 million.

SPEAR Centre has been designed to position the Northwest as a hub for semiconductor and photonics innovation. The project will align with the EU Chips Act and Ireland’s Smart Specialisation Strategy, embedding advanced technology capabilities into the regional economy and strengthening cross-border collaboration.

Over the coming years, SPEAR will deliver on three key pillars. A Doctoral College will train the next generation of PhD researchers in photonics, artificial intelligence, and semiconductor technologies. An Innovation Fund will support research and development across at least nine regional SMEs, enabling them to integrate cutting-edge technology into their operations. A Strategic Engagement Programme will foster collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers while raising public awareness of the potential of advanced technologies.

The project launch brought together a wide range of stakeholders from across the island, including academic experts, industry leaders, regional SMEs, and government representatives.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD said: “The launch of the SPEAR Centre marks a significant milestone in our ambition to lead in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor innovation. By aligning with the EU Chips Act and our national Smart Specialisation Strategy, this initiative will not only drive regional economic growth but also ensure that SMEs and researchers are at the forefront of global technological development. I commend the collaborative spirit behind this project and look forward to the transformative impact it will have on the North West and beyond.”

Northern Ireland Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA said: “The launch moves us a step closer to creating a global centre of excellence for semiconductor photonics in the North West. This is an ambition we are already well on our way to achieving; with the excellent partnerships long established here between our universities and industry. As Economy Minister, I am committed to working with partners right across this island, to deliver on my economic vision, with innovation at its heart. This investment will enhance the region’s attractiveness to inward investment, supporting the creation of more new, Good Jobs.”

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “This PEACEPLUS project is  designed to transform the North West through cutting-edge research, innovation, and enterprise development. It represents an investment in technology and education and also in people, in places, and in the shared future of the cross-border region. Through cross-border collaboration – between ATU, Ulster University, and Tyndall National Institute – this will strengthen the bonds of shared progress.

“This project marks a new chapter for regional innovation, for cross-border partnership, and for this island’s place in a fast-changing technological world. Empowering SMEs and growing high-tech sectors helps give people the opportunity to stay in the Northwest and this, in turn, helps create the conditions for a sustainable, inclusive peace.”

Atlantic Technological University President Dr Orla Flynn said: “SPEAR is far more than an investment in research infrastructure; it is a commitment to regional transformation. By embedding deep technology expertise into the Northwest, SPEAR will support enterprise growth, create high-value jobs, and build resilience in the face of global challenges.”

SPEAR will act as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth, enterprise development, workforce up-skilling, and peace-building across border regions. By leveraging the combined expertise of its partners and the investment provided through PEACEPLUS, the initiative will not only advance research and innovation but also ensure that these advances bring tangible benefits to the region’s economy and society.

PEACEPLUS is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.

CAPTION:

Pictured (L–R): Peter Devine, Ulster University; Dr Nick Timmons, Atlantic Technological University; Dr Orla Flynn, President, Atlantic Technological University; Dr Mark Gubbins, Seagate Technology; and Prof William Scanlon, Tyndall National Institute, at the launch of the SPEAR Centre in Letterkenny.