HRB RESEARCH PROJECT GRANTS Scheme

The grants awarded by this Division cover research in all areas of health. In clinical and biomedical research, researchers are working to improve our understanding of specific diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and Alzheimer. Others are researching underlying biomedical mechanisms that have implications for many diseases. Priority is given to supporting translational research, namely the translation of basic research findings into clinical practice or service provision and ultimately, health and social gain. Research grants are awarded following competitions open to researchers working in any recognised health research institution in the country. Most researchers work in universities and hospitals, but researchers in health boards and voluntary agencies may also apply and be supported. Research teams applying for grants are encouraged to take an all-island approach to their research where appropriate.

All applications for funding are reviewed by national or international experts working in that field (peer review) and also reviewed and scrutinised by an international panel of experts. Only applications that reach a sufficiently high standard are funded.The Health Research Board (HRB) receives an average of 500 grant applications each year (this includes applications for fellowships, project grants, programme and equipment grants). The average success rate of these applications is about 25%. The purpose of this document is to help applicants prepare a good grant application. The document is meant as a general guide and not all of the points covered may be relevant to all HRB grant schemes. Amount of Award: The maximum value of the grant awarded (including personnel) under this scheme is 55,000 euros per annum (no more than 165,000 euros over three years) for a maximum period of three years. Each successful applicant is entitled to one grant in any given year.
To support high quality health research relevant to health and social gain. Build health research capacity by supporting the education, training and career development of researchers, as well as supporting the provision of infrastructure
Epidemiology, Health of the Population and Primary Care
Genomics, Proteomics and Human Disease
Bio-materials and Bio-engineering
Immunology, Pathology and Mechanisms of Disease
Reviewers judge the strengths and weaknesses of a research-grant applications by assessing how well it answers the following questions:
· Is the hypothesis valid?
· Are the aims/objectives logical?
· Are the procedures feasible, adequate, and appropriate for the research proposed?
· Is the research likely to produce new data and concepts or confirm existing hypotheses?
· What is the significance and originality of the proposed study in the research area?
· Are the principal investigator and the staff qualified to conduct the proposed work, as judged by their track record, demonstrated competence, academic credentials, research experience, productivity and publications?
· Are the facilities, equipment, and other resources adequate for the proposed work, and is the environment conducive to productive research?
· Is the proposed study cost effective?
· Is the project likely to lead to publications in international peer-reviewed journals or other publications?

In most grant application forms four key questions are typically posed:
1. What do you intend to do?
2. Why is the work important? - (i.e. describe the broader context)
3. What have you already done?
4. How are you going to do the work?

By comparing these questions to the headings found in an application form, one can readily see what is required:
1 AIMS/OBJECTIVES
(What do you intend to do?)
2 SIGNIFICANCE
(Why is the work important? Describe the background and put the proposal in context.)
3 PRELIMINARY STUDIES
(What have you already done?)
4 RESEARCH PLAN
(How are you going to do the work?)