Applications in progress

HRB-DOH Evidence for Policy (EfP) Programme 2025

The Evidence for Policy (EfP) Programme is a collaborative initiative between the HRB and the Department of Health (DOH) to support research projects that aim to strengthen the evidence base for policy development and evaluation of policy implementation by the DOH. The call closed on 12 June 2025 and the review process is now underway.

Collaborative Research Network in Mental Health 2025 (CRN 2025)

The aim of the Collaborative Research Network in Mental Health call is to bring together stakeholders to promote and advance research in mental health and ensure its application to policy and practice, informed by the National Mental Health Research Strategy.

The call closed 30 May 2025 and the panel review meeting will take place on 11 September 2025.

Capacity Building for Evidence Synthesis (CBES) 2025

This call aims to strengthen capacity building and support for evidence synthesis on the island of Ireland while contributing to the development of a co-ordinated global infrastructure. The panel review meeting took place on Friday 20 June, and panel recommendations were approved by the HRB Board on 27 June. One award was approved for funding and applicants have been notified of the outcome.

Fulbright-HRB Health Impact Awards 2025

Three awards were made out of 10 applications submitted to the Fulbright Commission. The commission manages the call. The official announcement by the Fulbright Commission was in July 2025.

Applied Partnership Awards (APA) 2024

The Applied Partnership Awards (APA) are designed to bring knowledge users and researchers together to develop research projects that address a documented need within the Irish health or social care system.

The APA 2024 Scheme has two separate application cycles. Cycle 1 projects have been funded and are underway. Cycle 2 closed on 18 December 2024. 43 applications were deemed eligible in Cycle 2. The panel meeting to review applications was held 11 – 12 June 2025, and on 27 June the HRB Board approved 17 applications for funding. All applicants have been notified.

European Partnership on Transforming Health and Care Systems (THCS) 2025

This is a two-stage call. The submission deadline for full proposals was 19 June 2025 and review processes are underway.

European Rare Diseases Research Alliance (ERDERA) 2025

This is a two-stage call. The submission deadline for full proposals was 9 July 2025 and review processes are underway.

Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) 2025

This is a two-stage call. The submission deadline for full proposals was 24 June 2025 and review processes are underway.

Network of European Funding for Neuroscience Research (ERA-NET NEURON) 2025

This is a two-stage call. The submission deadline for full proposal was 26 June 2025 and review processes are underway.

Conference and Event Sponsorship Scheme (CES) 2025  

The CES scheme aims to create an opportunity to host health research related events, workshops, or conferences in Ireland. Cycle 2 closed on 22 July 2025 and 33 applications were received. Applications will be ranked through randomisation and eligibility confirmed. Applicants will be notified of the outcome in August.

Open Calls

Investigator-led Clinical Trials (ILCT) Programme 2025 (formerly DIFA).

The Investigator-led Clinical Trials (ILCT) Programme, formerly DIFA, supports feasibility studies and definitive intervention studies. The ILCT Programme is currently open as a rolling call. Please note the submission deadlines for Cycle 2 and Cycle 3 have now been extended.

The submission deadline for Cycle 2 has been extended to 30 July 2025, and for Cycle 3 to 12 December 2025. The HRB website and GEMS have been updated to reflect these changes. Full details on the call are available on the funding page of the HRB website.

The PPI Ignite Network (PPI-IN) 2026

The PPI Ignite Network will support and further build capacity for high-quality PPI in health and social care research throughout Ireland. This grant will provide funding for a further 5-year phase of a PPI Ignite Network. This call closes on 16 July 2025 at 13:00.

US-Ireland Research and Development Partnership Programme

This is a rolling call. Check the scheme notice for full details.

Upcoming Calls

Postdoctoral opportunities

Collaborative Postdoctoral Fellowships Programmes (CPFP) 2026

The CPFP scheme aims to support health and social care researchers from various disciplinary backgrounds who are based in an academic setting and have a PhD or an equivalent level of research experience. The scheme uses a team-based funding model designed to support groups of postdoctoral researchers working together on a common research programme. Each grant will be led by an experienced Leadership Team, which will include a Lead and up to two Co-Leads, and the wider consortium, who will then recruit three early-career postdoctoral fellows.

Applications are invited from a ‘collaborative’ group of experienced researchers, led by the leadership team, proposing an overarching interdisciplinary research programme to be delivered by three early-career postdoctoral fellows.

Please note that the CPFP scheme replaces the ‘Applying Research into Policy and Practice (ARPP)’ fellowships.

The scheme has a two-stage application process. It will open at the end of September, pending Board approval, and the pre-application stage is expected to close before Christmas.

Research in-Practice Fellowships for Health and Social Care Practitioners (RFP) 2026

The scheme aims to support health and social care practitioners who wish to advance their research skills at post-PhD level while continuing to deliver patient or social care. It targets practitioners from a variety of professional backgrounds, who are interested in advancing applied health and social care research aimed at finding practical solutions to specific problems. These fellowships replace the ‘Clinician Scientist Fellowships’ (CSF) scheme and is part of the HRB research career path for practitioners.

The scheme uses a one-stage application process. The scheme will open at the end of September, pending Board approval, and is expected to close in mid-February 2026.

Secondary Data Analysis Projects (SDAP 2025) 

The Secondary Data Analysis Projects (SDAP) are designed to bring together researchers, knowledge users and data controllers to develop research projects that answer policy and/or practice-relevant questions by using secondary data.

The SDAP 2025 Scheme has two separate application cycles. Cycle 1 closed on 30 May 2025. Cycle 2 will open for applications on 1 September 2025 and close on 9 January 2026 at 13:00.

The HRB hosted an in-person SDAP Seminar on 26 March 2025. Slides from the event are available on the call web page, which also includes a summary of the event. There were several presentations from previous SDAP grant holders which provided an insight into the depth of projects that can apply to the scheme and excellent inspiration regarding the impact these projects have had. Several data holders also presented their datasets and how they could be utilised in the scheme-their contact details are available on the slide decks.

Investigator-Led Projects (ILP) 2026 

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 ILP provides funding for clearly defined research projects in: (i) Patient-oriented research (POR), (ii) Population health research (PHR), and (iii) Health services research (HSR).

ILP 2026 will open for applications on 5 August 2025 at 13:00.

HRCI-HRB Joint Funding Scheme

The HRCI-HRB Joint Funding Scheme aims to fund researchers and research teams to conduct internationally competitive and innovative research in areas of strategic relevance to each individual charity.

HRCI-HRB 2026 will open for applications on 1 September 2025 at 13:00.

Other European research funding opportunities

See our EU funding updates story for information on more European research funding opportunities.

See also general information on the Horizon Europe and EU4Health programmes.