Investigator-Led Projects (ILP) 2024

The ILP scheme aims to support highly innovative and internationally competitive investigator-led projects that can respond to existing and emerging challenges for health and social care.

The objectives are to:

  • Fund research that addresses important questions for health and social care
  • Support high quality, internationally relevant research
  • Add to the knowledge base at an international level
  • Support research that will lead to an improved visibility and standing for Ireland and Irish researchers

On 31 July, the HRB held a webinar providing an overview of the ILP scheme. If you haven’t managed to catch up or if you wish to revisit this, you can watch the recording on demand here. The webinar PowerPoint slides are also available to download here.

Details of this scheme:

The ILP scheme provides funding for clearly defined research projects in:

  1. Patient-oriented research (POR)
  2. Population health research (PHR)
  3. Health services research (HSR)

The ILP scheme will provide funding for projects in POR, PHR and HSR up to a maximum of €330,000 direct costs (exclusive of overheads) per award. The overheads contribution will be added by HRB staff during contracting stage. The maximum total award including overhead contribution will be €430,000. 

The HRB plans to commit in the region of €12 million to the ILP 2024 awards. Quality permitting it is expected that a minimum of 27 awards will be funded. Awards will have a duration of between 24 and 48 months.

Who can apply?

Applications should be made on behalf of a team made up of researchers, knowledge user(s) and PPI contributors. 

Applicants must have a suitable track record and demonstrate clearly that the research team contains the necessary breadth and depth of expertise in all methodological areas required for the development and delivery of the proposed project.

The Lead Applicant must:

  • Hold a post (permanent or a contract that covers the duration of the award) in a HRB recognised Host Institution in the island of Ireland (the “Host Institution”) as an independent investigator. For clinicians, an adjunct position in a HRB recognised Host Institution is acceptable. OR 
  • Be an individual who will be recognised by the Host Institution upon receipt of an award as an independent investigator who will have a dedicated office and research space for the duration of award, for which they will be fully responsible. The Lead Applicant does not necessarily need to be employed by the Host Institution at the time of the application submission.
  • Show evidence of achievement as an independent researcher in their chosen research field.

For more detailed information, please check the Guidance Notes. Only one application per Lead Applicant to this scheme will be considered. 

How to apply:

Applications must be completed and submitted through the HRB online Grant E-Management System (GEMS) (https://grants.hrb.ie).

The application must have been reviewed and approved by the signatory approver at the research office (or equivalent) in the Host Institution before it is submitted to the HRB. Therefore, applicants should ensure that they give the signatory approver sufficient time before the scheme closing date to review the application and approve it on GEMS. Please note that many host institutions specify internal deadlines for this procedure.

Apply for this award:

HRB online Grant E-Management System (GEMS):  https://grants.hrb.ie

Contact us:

Dr Sónia Pereira
Project Officer – Investigator-led Grants, Research Careers and Enablers
Research Strategy and Funding
Health Research Board
ILP(at)hrb.ie