2025 will mark the 10th year of Science on Screen, a partnership between CÚRAM Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices at University of Galway, and Ardán, and a funding call is now open to make the 10th Science on Screen documentary.  

Ardán and CÚRAM are teaming up with Diabetes Ireland and Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network who have received funding from the Health Research Board to make a film – with a budget of €40,000 – about clinical trials and how they can impact on Irish society. 

Importance of Collaboration in Scientific Research 

Collaboration is a vital part of scientific research with the patient voice or Public Patient Involvement (PPI) becoming increasingly crucial in informing how research occurs. This collaborative spirit underpins the work of Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network which aims to improve health and wellbeing for all patients with diabetes on the island of Ireland.  

In addition to changing how research is done, PPI involvement is also crucial to deciding what research is done. Diabetes clinical trials need more people who understand PPI and are willing to get involved and represent those living with diabetes every day. 

Callout for 10th Research Documentary Commission 

The work of the Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network has seen trials undertaken, for example, in the areas of gestational diabetes and cardiovascular disease. There will be an opportunity to hear from those who have taken part in these trials at an information session for filmmakers  on January 18th, 2025, in Galway. Filmmakers will also have access to scientists and clinicians working in this area. 

A filmmaking team (minimum of producer and director) will receive funding of €40,000 to make a 25-minute documentary. This documentary will explain the role of Public Patient Involvement (PPI) in clinical trials and ultimately engage more people in clinical trials. Creative and ambitious responses to this call are encouraged with this information day as the jump-off point. 

Previous Documentary Makers & Awards 

Past recipients of the Science on Screen Documentary Commission include Mia Mullarkey, Alice McDowell, James Ryan, Paul Webster, Anna and Hugh Rodgers, Zlata Filipovic, Ronan Cassidy, Luke Brabazon, Karen Coleman, Leeona Duff, Ciaran O Connor, Maria O’ Neill and Tiernan Williams. Read about Luke Brabazon’s experience and trip to DocUtah 2024 here. 

CÚRAM’s public engagement programme supports the strategic goal of ‘Science for Everyone’, to connect the Irish public and patients with its research and to inspire future generations on the value and importance of medical device research for society. 

“As our award-winning Science on Screen programme enters its 10th year, we are delighted to be partnering with Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network. To date, Science on Screen has demonstrated the impact of our research in the field of medical devices, and the significant contribution of public and patient involvement. We look forward to seeing this film come to life.” – Professor Abhay Pandit, Director of CÚRAM 

Previous documentaries made for Science on Screen include topics such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke and cardiovascular research.  These have been broadcast on RTÉ and TG4, screened at numerous international film festivals, reached audiences of 1.5 million globally and have scooped 6 international awards including the Scientist Award at Imagine Science Film Festival in New York for ‘Feats of Modest Valour’ (2017), the Humanitarian Award at DOCUTAH in Utah for ‘A Tiny Spark’ (2019) and the Industry Award: Best Education Media at the RAW Science Festival in New York for ‘Bittersweet’ (2019). These documentaries have started conversations nationally about the role of science in our lives at screenings hosted at schools, community events and academic conferences. 

“As our Science on Screen collaboration with CÚRAM enters its 10th year, we are delighted to be on board to commission a 10th research documentary to mark this important anniversary. Our continued mission at Ardán is to support creative talent development and to empower creatives in the screen industry. What better way to develop and refine your skills as a documentary maker than by showcasing the important ongoing work done by medical researchers and highlighting lived patient stories.” Alan Duggan – CEO of Ardán 

Information Day Event Details 

An Information Day on the Science on Screen Commission will be held in the CREW Hub, Wellpark Road, Galway (H91 8K85) on Saturday, January 18th, 2025, at 11 am at which Diabetes Ireland and Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network will explain the goals of the documentary. There will also be a panel of participants from the PPI trials who will outline their experiences in the trials to date.  

The researchers and panelists speaking at the open day can form the core of the documentary being developed and will be available to be interviewed during the production process.  Filmmakers can also choose to include other patients and scientists for their documentary should they be suitable. There will be a Q&A opportunity for filmmakers to ask the presenters and panelists questions with a view to building their documentaries around their stories and experiences.  

Spaces for the Info Day are limited, and registration (available here) is required for attendance. Registration closes at 12 pm on Friday, 17th January. Those who cannot attend in person can join the Info Day via Zoom at a link which will be shared on the morning of Saturday 18th January. People looking to form teams can pitch in-person at the Info Day. 

Speaker Panel for Info Day 

Some of the speakers and panelists taking part in the Info Day include: 

• Prof. Fidelma Dunne – “Overview of the Grant”: Prof. Dunne is a consultant endocrinologist in Galway University Hospital. Professor of Medicine at the University of Galway and Head of the Clinical Trials Institute at the University of Galway. 
• Dr. Christine Newman – “Overview of Diabetes”: Dr. Newman is a consultant endocrinologist in Galway University Hospital specializing in pregnancy and diabetes technology.
• Ms. Grainne Flynn – “Living with Diabetes”: Ms. Flynn is the Co-Founder of Thriveabetes, an organization which aims to bring information, motivation and inspiration to thrive with type 1 diabetes.  

The panel of speakers will also be joined by two patients who will speak about their lived experience of diabetes.

How to apply for the commission 

After the Info Day, filmmakers have 6 weeks to prepare their application for the commission, with applications closing on February 28th, 2025. They will be expected to show in their treatment how they envisage their documentary, who they will interview and what they want to convey. 

Applications are accepted from teams comprising at least one director and one producer. If an applicant is a producer or director without a team, there will be an opportunity to ‘pitch’ yourself to the audience at the Info Day with the goal of forming a team. 

Each application will be expected to have a treatment including a logline and synopsis developed for the documentary they are proposing to make as well as a budget, shooting schedule and crew list. Applicants will also be expected to have a production company to receive the funds for the documentary, which will be paid in installments as per the contract which will be provided. 

The successful candidate will work with their chosen researchers to explore and develop their project(s) and through the use of interviews, supporting footage and illustrations, will deliver a high quality 25-minute documentary by November 2025. 

The application will be available after the info day and the deadline for applications is 28th February 2025. 

About Science on Screen 

Science on Screen facilitates, promotes and increases the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production. The partnership began in 2015 with CÚRAM funding documentary filmmaking and providing access to leading scientists to explore methods of scientific ‘storytelling’ and to produce short films that incorporate current research at CÚRAM and its partners. 

To date, eight Science on Screen films have been produced with a ninth to be completed by March 2025. These have been broadcast on RTÉ and TG4, screened at numerous international film festivals and have scooped 6 international awards. The documentaries are used throughout the country at schools, for community screenings as well as at academic conferences and have reached an audience of nearly 1.5 million people.  

About CÚRAM Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices 

CÚRAM Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices is funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, and is headquartered at University of Galway. It’s partner institutes include; University College Cork (UCC), University College Dublin (UCD), the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University of Limerick (UL), Dublin City University (DCU), National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT),  Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin).  

CÚRAM’s research specialises in the creation and translation of clinic-ready and patient-focused medical devices to improve quality of life for patients living with chronic diseases. CÚRAM has emerged as a global leader in medical device research, revolutionising healthcare and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, patients and healthcare professionals.  

It is committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with chronic illness. To achieve this, the Centre’s scientific programme addresses significant issues, technical hurdles, and the existing limitations pertaining to medical device design and functionalization. With a committed funding of over €270 million, CÚRAM excels in its capacity to foster collaborative networks that aim to develop solutions for global health challenges.  

For more visit Www.curamdevices.ie 

@CURAMdevices @uniofGalway @researchirel 

About Ardán 

Ardán is a registered charity based in Galway, operating in the West of Ireland and beyond. We support creatives in the audio-visual industry, in film, TV, games, and animation, through funding, training, and events. Ardán’s headquarters is in the CREW Enterprise and Innovation Hub on Wellpark Road in Galway city.  

Previously known as Galway Film Centre, Ardán rebranded in 2022 to reflect the broader geographic and sectoral focus of the organisation which includes the greater Western Region and newer industry sectors including games and animation. Translated, Ardán means platform or stage. Ardán is a platform for creative talent development, providing opportunities for entry, emerging, and established individuals working in the screen sector. 

Within its screen talent development remit, Ardán manages the Galway UNESCO City of Film designation, WRAP (Western Region Audio Visual Producers’ Fund), the National Talent Academy for Film & TV Drama, and the annual FÍS TV and Games Summits. As part of these initiatives there are various events, funding, and training schemes to avail of. 

Alongside our longstanding partners, Ardán also co-manages several other funding and training opportunities including the CÚRAM Science on Screen Documentary and Animation Commission, the RTÉ Short Film Commission, the Wild Galway Games Incubator, IndieDev: The Cross-border Games Prototype Fund, PTG: Prepare to Gamify!, and much more. 

More info: www.ardan.ie 

Social media: @ardan_ie 

Email: info@ardan.ie