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

  • Patient-oriented research (POR)
  • Population health research (PHR)
  • Health services research (HSR)

Quality permitting, a minimum of 27 awards will be funded in this round.

According to Dr Mairéad O Driscoll, Chief Executive at the HRB,

“The Investigator-Led Projects scheme aims to support innovative and internationally competitive research that addresses important questions for health and social care, and that add to the knowledge base at an international level.  It is designed to support research that will lead to an improved visibility and standing for Ireland and Irish researchers.”

Dr David Hughes from the Conway Institute and faculty of the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Sciences in University College Dublin (UCD) has won two ILP awards to date and says,

“ILPs have been vital for me in being able to lead international studies with project partners in different countries in molecular epidemiology for cancer prevention research. There are not many such funding opportunities available in Ireland or indeed elsewhere.

They have helped broaden the reach of both my work and that of the HRB. My ILP awards have been instrumental to being able to lead studies within such large, unique cohorts as the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).“

Dr Anne Cody, Head of Investigator-Led Grants, Research Careers and Enablers at the HRB adds,

“In recognition of the rising costs of research, the overall budget has been increased. The maximum total value on an award including overhead contribution will now be €430,000 (previously €370,000), with a maximum of €330,000 for direct costs (previously approx. €285,000). These awards will have a duration of between 24 and 48 months.

There are detailed scheme guidance notes available on the HRB website and I would urge interested parties to register for next Monday’s webinar.”

On 31 July, the HRB held a webinar providing an overview of the Investigator-Led Projects (ILP) scheme and highlighting the major changes since the last round.

The webinar recording is available to watch here. 

The webinar PowerPoint slides are also available to download.