Equal Opportunities
CONFIRM Centre and SMART 4.0 are dedicated to the creation of an empowered, diverse and inclusive workforce which strives for advancements in STEM innovation and equality of opportunity, agnostic of gender or circumstances. SMART 4.0 is committed to tackling gender inequalities within the smart manufacturing field, paying specific attention to attracting female researchers. The SMART 4.0 selection procedure will be open, transparent, merit‐based, impartial and equitable.

As per the SMART 4.0 offering (see MSCA & SMART 4.0), a dedicated objective-based Mentoring Programme will be established. These successful mentoring relationships will serve a means of peer-sharing specific skills, knowledge, information, experiences and perspectives that will foster professional and individual growth.
The SMART 4.0 programme is open to researchers who had a career break for professional or personal reasons and wish to resume research in the Republic of Ireland (Career Restart Fellowships). Applicants are strongly encouraged to describe any research career gaps and/or unconventional career paths, both for professional and personal reasons. The SMART 4.0 ESR process’ design will ensure submissions are judged on merit both qualitatively and quantitatively, taking into account the whole range of experience of applicants and not just their publications list.
Researchers who are refugees (according to the Geneva Convention – 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol) can apply and will put in place extra supports for these researchers during the application phase and during the implementation of projects. For note, UL and UCC (extended to TNI) are designated Universities of Sanctuary in recognition of their initiatives welcoming asylum seekers and refugees into its university community. SMART 4.0 will also ensure that researchers with special needs have equal opportunities to apply and to implement their project.