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About TU-NET

A shared ambition for open research excellence

TU-NET's ambition is that all staff and students in Irish technological universities have the skills, knowledge and support to perform research to the highest level — making excellence in open research a reality.

Why TU-NET exists

The technological universities recognised a unique opportunity to pool resources, build capability across the sector, and create a transparent, shared research environment. TU-NET is a grassroots collaboration of library and research-associated offices, working to make open research the norm.

Our journey

Timeline to date

From a first hybrid meeting to a live shared repository and a role in European open science.

July 2022
  • First group meeting held (hybrid)
  • Survey of open research capabilities and needs across the sector
October 2022
  • First in-person meeting hosted by ATU
  • TU-NET name agreed
January 2023
  • MoU signed with OpenAIRE to design and implement a shared repository
March 2023
  • Logo designed
  • OSTrails application submitted · TU-NET Irish National Pilot
September 2023
  • Endorsement of joint statement on Open Research by all TU Presidents
  • TU-NET launch event · Shared repository go-live
February 2024
  • OSTrails ‘Kick Off’ meeting in Athens
2024
  • Implement ARGOS DMP software across partner institutions with shared standards
2025–2026
  • OSTrails participation — training researchers, developing templates, sharing datasets

Where we're heading

Building on our foundations, TU-NET is expanding the shared repository, integrating with research management tools like ARGOS, and deepening engagement with European open science initiatives. Our goal is to embed open research practice across all five universities and make research excellence accessible to every researcher.

Who we are

The people behind TU-NET

TU-NET is a grassroots collaboration of library and research-associated offices working together across the five technological universities.