The Health Research Board (HRB) made the highest investment, with almost €42 million across 51 grants (39% of the total investment in the review period). It was followed by Science Foundation Ireland, now Research Ireland (RI), with an investment of €26.7 million across 32 grants (25%).  

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

“As well as identifying the resources invested in cancer research, this HRB report reveals key trends in relation to the type of research conducted, where there are gaps and helps identify priority areas for investment in the future. Importantly, it can help the work of the National Cancer Research Group to inform the new National Cancer Strategy to support a strategic and coordinated approach to cancer research investment in Ireland.” 

Key findings 

The analysis shows that HRB’s investment in cancer research accounted for almost one quarter (23%) of our total investment in health and social care research between 2019 and 2022, an increase from one-fifth (20.2%) in the period 2010–2017.  

There is a need for a more targeted approach to cancer research investments  

The top three research activity areas receiving 75% of cancer research investment overall were:   

  • Evaluation of treatments and therapeutic interventions (almost €35 million)  
  •  Treatments and therapeutic development (almost €29 million)   
  • Aetiology (almost €18 million). 

Lower levels of cancer research investment (less than €5 million each)  

  •  Underpinning research   
  • Prevention of disease and conditions, and promotion of well-being  
  • Health and social care services  

 According to Oonagh Ward, Head of Research and Innovation Infrastructures in the HRB,  

“The fact that three areas currently represent 75% of all cancer research investment points to potential investment gaps, such as prevention, promotion of well-being and underpinning research, which should be targeted in future.  

“The HRB currently invests more in infrastructure and networks to support clinical cancer research and trials, yet overall, funding support for investigator-led cancer trials is very low. It will be essential to adopt strategies that encourage and support investigators to avail of dedicated alternative funding sources for investigator-led studies in future.” 

Alternative funding sources 

The report highlights potential to leverage funding for cancer research beyond the national purse. Significant opportunities exist in Europe – It would be important to examine the European funding landscape to understand fully the potential sources of funding for Irish researchers to address some of the gaps identified in the report.  

The overall value of this report going forward  

The report contains data and evidence to support the coordination of cancer research activities through shared learning and open exchange of information and will assist the National Cancer Research Group (NCRG) to make future recommendations regarding investment and targeting of funds for cancer research as part of the National Cancer Strategy.   

Ms Ward concludes,  

“The HRB can deliver real value by repeating this analysis of cancer investment over time and including a review of European funding. This will allow us to monitor trends and assess the impact of future changes in the approach to cancer research investment and strategy. Ultimately, we want to ensure the approach to cancer research captures the full spectrum of research activity to improve cancer patients’ outcomes.” 

Link to the report

*This report was made possible thanks to the contribution and engagement of participants which included four national funding agencies and four cancer research charities. As participation was voluntary, this analysis does not provide an absolute picture, but it does offer real insight and perspective into national investments in cancer-related research, and creates a solid foundation for future discussion, and recommendations by the NCRG.  

Health Research Board  

Science Foundation Ireland (Research Ireland) 

Irish Cancer Society  

Irish Research Council (Research Ireland)  

Breakthrough Cancer Research  

Enterprise Ireland  

Conor Foley Neuroblastoma Cancer Research Foundation  

OvaCare