How we assess applications

Here we explain the assessment and selection process for a typical HRB funding scheme

Eligibility and assessment criteria

These are set out in guidance notes provided for each funding scheme. Every funding scheme has its own specific set of eligibility and assessment criteria.

Eligibility criteria may refer, for example, to qualifications of the Lead Applicant, expertise required on the applicant team, the type of research, etc. Each submitted application undergoes an eligibility check.

The HRB has an appeals policy for ineligibility decisions which sets out under which circumstances and through which process appeals can be made.

Assessment criteria

Assessment criteria are tailored to each scheme and likely to include the quality of the application, the suitability of the team and the fit of the proposed research project with the objectives of the scheme.

Please watch a short video on what happens before a panel meeting

Written peer review

The process of reviewing applications for funding is broadly similar across schemes, although details vary. Conflict of interest rules governing reviewers and panel members are strictly adhered to. Reviewers acting for the HRB are expected to adhere to our code of conduct.

For most funding schemes HRB staff aims to secure reviews from experts in the area and the methodology of the proposed research. These experts are based outside of Ireland. Depending on the scheme, the HRB may also seek input from other stakeholders. Reviewers are asked to highlight the strengths and the weaknesses of the application relative to the assessment criteria of the scheme, and to provide a score. The outcome of this process may be used to shortlist applications that are then submitted for further review to an international review panel. In other schemes the shortlisting process may be carried out by a panel.

Shortlisted applicants have a time-limited opportunity to respond to these reviews, and the response will be brought to the panel’s attention.

Public review

For most scheme, the HRB receives written feedback on the quality of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in grant applications received from public reviewers. Reviews are written from the perspective of the reviewer as a member of the public or informed by their knowledge and experience as a patient, carer and/or user of health and social care services. This is in addition to feedback on the scientific aspects from international peer-reviewers.

Applicants have a time-limited opportunity to respond to these reviews, and the response will be brought to the panel’s attention.

Panel meeting

Separate review panels are established for each scheme. Whilst panel members are generally from outside Ireland, national experts may participate from time to time. Both panel members and expert reviewers are requested to consider unconscious bias in their decision making, and this is highlighted again to each Panel before they begin considering applications. Panels use the expert peer review reports as an input to their deliberations; applicants typically have an opportunity to respond to the reviewers’ comments and the applicant’s response is also provided to the panel. Where the selection process includes an interview, applicants have an opportunity at that point to respond to any issues raised by reviewers.

Depending on the scheme, the HRB may also seek input from other stakeholders.

Please watch a short video about what happens at a panel meeting.

Funding decision

The panel makes its recommendations having considered all inputs to the process. If there are more fundable applications than the scheme budget is able to support, the panel will carefully rank the applications that are near the overall cut off point.

If it is not possible to differentiate between these applications based on the assessment criteria, the HRB gender policy includes gender balance in the leadership of the research team as a factor which may be used to rank proposals with the same scores.

The Board makes the final funding decision by approving the outcome of the review process. The Board will not alter the rank order agreed by the panel and will make awards from the top down of this ranked list. The HRB has an appeals policy which sets out the circumstances and the processes whereby an appeal can be made.

Where peer review reports have not been provided yet to applicants this will be done at the end of the process along with feedback from the panel meeting.