Each scheme is designed to support talented health and social care researchers take their first steps towards an independent research career path.

The EIA call is targeted at postdoctoral researchers in different disciplines typically in academic or other research institutions.  The ECSA is open to health and social care practitioners from any professional background involved in the delivery of patient or social care.

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

“The Emerging Clinician Scientist Awards and Emerging Investigator Awards schemes aim to support talented individuals at a critical career transition stage. They provide our rising research stars an opportunity to establish themselves as independent investigators and help the HRB to deliver on its strategic objective of supporting a thriving research environment with a deep pool of skilled researchers.

The HRB is specifically seeking individuals who are passionate about the application of knowledge in improving healthcare systems, policies or practice.”

Dr Ian Kelleher formerly of University College Dublin, now based in the University of Edinburgh, was a recipient of an ECSA in 2020 and says, “The HRB emerging clinician scientist award was catalytic for my career. It bought out clinical time from my consultant post, provided me with the funding needed to build my research team, and allowed me to carry out cutting edge, clinically meaningful research.”.

Dr Karen Matvienko-Sikar of University College Cork, was a recipient of an EIA in 2022 and adds,

“The HRB Emerging Investigator Award has been instrumental in developing and expanding my research programme, as well as building up a research team, and fostering important national and international collaborations. The funding enables me to continue to conduct important research on childhood obesity prevention and build capacity in outcomes research methods in Ireland.”.

Full guidance notes for each scheme are now available on the HRB website:

Emerging Clinician Scientist Awards (ECSA) 2024

Emerging Investigator Awards (EIA) 2024

The ECSA call is open to health and social care practitioners from any professional background, who are involved in the delivery of patient or social care, have a PhD (or PhD equivalency), and are typically research active. Lead applicants to the ECSA call must have a clinical or social care post either in the Irish health service, private practice providing inclusive care to the public, a health and social care organisation, or hold a joint clinical and academic position. The HRB has in the region of €8M to support awards in this round.

The EIA call is open to postdoctoral researchers from different disciplines who are engaged in health-related research activities typically in academic or other research institutions. Lead Applicants to the EIA call must have a PhD or have been granted PhD equivalent research experience by the HRB and at least four years active post PhD (or equivalent) research experience. The HRB has in the region of €7M to support awards in this round.

Ends.