This project focuses on developing and strengthening the Irish Association for Contemporary European Studies (IACES). IACES is a representative multi-disciplinary association of scholars and practitioners with an interest in the study of Europe and the EU. The association represents 75 individual members across Irish universities and civil society, north and south in Ireland. The association is focused on a series of key aims: • to promote teaching and research in contemporary European Studies;• to provide a forum for discussion of contemporary European issues;• to publish work of high quality in European Studies;• to maintain and foster links between tertiary educational institutions;• to foster links and collaboration among academics in Ireland and internationally;• to engage with interested government and non-government organisations. This project aims to consolidate and expand a range of EU-centred activities (research, teaching, student mentoring, website development, media synergies, public engagement) pursued by IACES. Activities include: • Twice annual Master-Classes in European Integration for Future EU leaders (targeting talented undergraduate students) • Annual Model EU Negotiation Simulation Exercise EU (engaging students across universities and disciplines) • Development of an improved dynamic interface and operability for the IACES website (www.iaces.ie) • Creation of a database of EU-oriented faculty, research clusters and PhD students in Ireland • Research publication of Special Issue of Irish Political Studies journal (Title - Ireland and the EU ‘in the Shadow of Austerity’) • Creation and distribution of IACES Newsletter • Annual Conference: ‘The ‘State of the European Union’ in Ireland’ • Annual Postgraduate Workshop on European Integration• Regular IACES Board Meetings • Public Roundtable on Ireland and the European Union.Taken together these different elements will help to re-build European Studies in Ireland.