Before you apply

The HRB funding process

To develop new funding opportunities, the HRB considers what we want to achieve, and creates a specific funding call.

Calls are generally open and competitive.

HRB funding decisions are based on: Eligibility, Assessment criteria, Available budget and potentially on the HRB gender policy.

These factors are assessed in a systematic way through our review process, striving for fairness at each step. Please refer to the guidance notes for each particular scheme for details.

More information on how we assess applications.

The steps of the funding process are shown: • Application submitted • Eligibility check • Expert international peer review (of science) and public review (of PPI) • Applicant response to reviews • Panel funding recommendation • HRB Board approval of funding recommendation • Feedback to applicants

Approved host institutions

Currently approved host institutions have been approved under our Host Institution Policy. If you want to apply to become a host institution, please complete Host Institution application form available below and send to Hostinstitutions@hrb.ie.

List of Approved HRB Host Institutions (PDF 104 KB)
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Host Institution Application Form (DOCX 87 KB)
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HRB PhD Equivalency

For some HRB funding calls you need a PhD or HRB PhD equivalency to apply.

The HRB will recognise time spent performing active research. PhD equivalency, as defined in national and international frameworks, is as at least four years ‘full time’ active research experience post-primary degree, which does not need to be consecutive.

  • Full-Time Equivalent Research Experience is measured from the date when a researcher obtained the degree entitling them to embark on a doctorate (either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is recruited), even if a doctorate was never started or envisaged.
  • Active research is defined as working directly on an original research project, or projects, for the purposes of generating new scientific knowledge. Time spent conducting active research is the only criterion which contributes to HRB PhD equivalence. Active research does not include supervision or mentoring of individuals who are performing active research. Partial FTEs over a period of time can be expressed as months conducting active research.

Once a researcher is granted HRB PhD equivalency, it is valid for all HRB funding schemes that require PhD equivalency under eligibility criteria. HRB PhD equivalency is valid indefinitely and does not require renewal.

Please note that not all the HRB Grant funding calls require a PhD or equivalency, so you are advised to read carefully the relevant Guidance Notes.

 

Should you apply for PhD equivalency? Please note the following:

  • Recipients of a Doctor of Science (DSc) are considered PhD equivalent and do not need to apply for PhD equivalency.
  • Professional and taught doctorate degrees are not considered as equivalent to a PhD.
  • MD degree is not considered as equivalent to a PhD, but the time spent in research during the MD may be used for calculating PhD equivalency.
  • For recipients of more than one PhD degree, the date of the earliest degree will be considered for eligibility’s purposes.
  • Individuals currently studying for, or who have already completed, a PhD qualification are not eligible to apply for HRB PhD equivalency.

HRB PhD Equivalency Request Form (DOCX 71 KB)
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HRB PhD Equivalency Sample Calculation (DOCX 70 KB)
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Responsible research assessment topics to consider before you apply

The Responsible research assessment highlights areas important to the HRB agenda, such as Open Access, Public and Patient Involvement in research (PPI), Gender equality, How we monitor and evaluate, as well as other relevant policies and practices. They should inform how you frame an application.

 

Tips for writing a grant application

Writing a grant application takes time and planning. Here we share some tips on how to write a good grant application, such as what to consider before you start writing, what reviewers look for in an application and the importance of writing for reviewers who don’t know the Irish system. We also look at the right to respond option and some of the reasons why grant applications are rejected.

Tips for writing a grant application

 

Useful links

We have put together some external resources you may find helpful in the preparation of an application. You will find useful links on areas such as study design for interventions, study registration, reporting, clinical research infrastructures, PPI, bio banking, data management, animals in research and gender issues amongst others.

View Resources