About the Science Foundation Ireland

Client: Science Foundation Ireland
Industry: Private Foundation
Key Stakeholders: Donal Keane (COO)
Client Since: 2009
Tools Used: SmartSimple Cloud

€460

million annually in research funding

Overview

The Science Foundation Ireland is the driving force behind Ireland’s transformation into a global hub for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Managing nearly €460 million annually in research funding, SFI needed a system that could match its scale, ambition, and commitment to innovation. In 2009, they chose SmartSimple Cloud to take their grants management to the next level and haven’t looked back since.

Challenges

When SFI first approached SmartSimple, their existing grants management system was:

  • Custom-built and outdated
  • Cumbersome and hard to use
  • Insufficiently supported
  • Heavily reliant on manual processes for applications and reviews

As SFI’s grant volume expanded from under a dozen to hundreds, the old system couldn’t scale — forcing staff to support applicants and reviewers outside the platform. Inefficiencies and data silos became untenable.

Solutions Implemented

After evaluating various options, SFI selected SmartSimple Cloud for its:

  • Unrivaled flexibility to adapt to SFI’s unique processes
  • Custom configuration capabilities without excessive maintenance
  • Strong implementation partnership that allowed rapid deployment
  • Cloud-based infrastructure enabling anytime, anywhere access

SmartSimple built a system tailored to SFI’s needs, including:

  • Automated proposal calls
  • Reviewer meeting logistics and administration
  • Award distribution and post-award grant tracking
  • Role-based access and workflows for national-scale collaboration

Impact & Outcomes

Over the past 15 years, SFI has transformed its grantmaking and grown into a national symbol of innovation. Key results include:

  • Streamlined operations across the entire grant lifecycle
  • Improved internal collaboration and data centralization
  • Increased system adoption by both internal staff and external reviewers
  • Sustained scalability as grant volumes and funding levels grew
  • A true technology partnership, with SFI and SmartSimple evolving together

Client Testimonials

“We could see functionality that was emerging and how flexible the [grants management] system was. It was clear to us that SmartSimple’s promises would really be delivered on.”

“SmartSimple definitely had the most flexible platform on the market. The competition only offered ‘out of the box’ solutions, while SmartSimple’s presentation showed us not only the functionality of their software, but the passion and commitment to shaping the system we wanted.”

— Donal Keane, COO

Key Takeaways

As both SFI and SmartSimple Cloud celebrated their 20th anniversaries, they reflected on a shared journey that revolutionized Ireland’s research funding. Their collaboration is a testament to what’s possible when technology and mission-driven institutions grow together.