The Health Research Board
Improving health and solving societal challenges through excellent research, data and evidence.
Learn more about who we are and what we doHealthcare research with people in mind
A psychology degree paved the way for social gerontology researcher Dr Emma O’Shea to find her calling in dementia and Parkinson’s research. Dr Claire O'Connell speaks to her in this month's HRB blog.

€1.9 million for 10 new Applied Partnership Awards
Older people, people with intellectual disabilities, and marginalised communities are among the groups who will benefit from this cycle of awards.

HRB to increase PhD stipends to €25,000
Effective from October 2023, the HRB will increase its stipend for existing and new HRB-funded PhD candidates from €19,000 to €25,000. The increase will benefit over 80 PhD candidates.

€6.4 million to support the career development of outstanding researchers in health and social care
The 13 new awards will support post-doctoral researchers who are pursuing academic careers and those from clinical backgrounds who wish to further enhance their research experience while remaining embedded in the health service.

Factors associated with suicide among people who use drugs
A team of HRB researchers has published a review paper in the journal ‘BMC Psychology’ examining existing evidence on factors associated with suicide among people who use drugs.

HRB provides €15 million to support emerging health researchers
Two funding calls, the Emerging Investigator Awards (EIA) and Emerging Clinician Scientist Awards (ECSA) will open on 7 September 2023.

HRB releases 2022 alcohol treatment data
The latest figures show an increase in demand for treatment and a rise in polydrug use.

New HRB study explores impact of problem drug use on affected family members
Based on routine data from the HRB's National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS), this study aims to describe characteristics of affected family members seeking treatment in their own right, and the support they receive.

Disability services - latest figures on current use and future demand
A new HRB report on disability services provides a picture of the services people receive, as well as the services they will need in the next five years. Findings highlight a growing need for adult residential and respite services.

HRB publishes 2022 data on admissions to psychiatric in-patient facilities
Findings show a continuation of trends seen in recent years, with depressive disorders and schizophrenia the most common diagnoses for adults, while eating disorders remain a key feature of admissions for children and adolescents.

18 awards for health research events in Ireland
The awards were made under the HRB’s Conference and Events Sponsorship (CES) Scheme, which is designed to facilitate enhanced visibility, reach and pathways to impact for health research.

Health Research Board reports latest drug-related deaths figures
Findings show an increase in poisonings and reflect both the rise of cocaine use and dangers of mixing drugs.

Drug treatment demand in Ireland 2022
The latest findings by the Health Research Board show cocaine has overtaken opioids to become the most common problem drug.

12 new Definitive Intervention and Feasibility Awards
The awards will support research in areas including cancer, type-1 diabetes, speech and language therapy for pre-schoolers, and pain management following spinal cord injury.

Deaths among people who were homeless at time of death in Ireland, 2019
This feasibility study was commissioned by the Department of Health to address the need to improve understanding of premature mortality among people who are homeless nationally, and to provide more complete and accurate national data to inform policy.

Horizon Europe Health: Guide for Researchers
Our new online guide to Horizon Europe Health brings together a range of resources to support researchers at every stage of the application process - and explains how the HRB National Contact Point service can help along the way.

The 2023 HRB Impact Award goes to Professor Orla Hardiman
The award recognises her outstanding research and clinical career which has transformed both the care and wellbeing of people with neurodegenerative conditions and their families.
