Research Organisations
Health Research Board (HRB)
The HRB currently manages research programmes worth over €100 million. Funding covers all areas of health research from biomedical, translational, clinical and practice-based research, through to population health and health services research. Details of all HRB research funding schemes, including scope, eligibility and how to apply, may be found in the Grants section of the www.hrb.ie web site.
The following two Research Councils were set up in order to develop Ireland’s research capacity and realise its full potential and is a source of funding open to all EU citizens who intend to study at a research body in Ireland. The Research Council you should apply to is determined by the subject you are studying.
Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS)
Provides funding for postgraduate research within the field of the Humanities, Social Sciences, Business and Law. Postgraduate scholarships are valued at up to €16,000 per annum. They are awarded initially for one year, but subject to terms and conditions, are renewable for up to two additional years. Post-Doctoral fellowships are valued at up to €31,745 per annum and are open to students of any nationality. Go to www.irchss.ie for more information about awards as well as application forms.
Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET)
Provides funding for postgraduate research within the fields of science, engineering and technology. Under this scheme successful applicants can receive a scholarship of €24,003 for each approved year of research. Applications for funding must be made by August each year. Visit www.ircset.ie for a downloadable form and further information.
Royal Irish Academy
The RIA awards 60 research grants each year in both the Humanities and the Natural Sciences. These are made through a network of awards, including Archaeological Research grants and international exchanges, as well as smaller schemes for fieldwork in the natural history of Ireland, scientific and historical essays and travel bursaries. Visit www.ria.ie for further details.
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
The SFI selects recipients on merit in a range of scientific and engineering fields through schemes such as the SFI/Dell Scholarship – Young Women in Engineering and the Strategic Research Clusters (SRC) Programme. SFI has a very flexible grant and award system and issues calls for proposals from scientists and engineers at various times throughout the year. Go to www.sfi.ie for further information.
Teagasc
Teagasc (the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority) is a major supporter of postgraduates, assisting some 150 graduates pursuing MSc or PhD programmes at any one time. Through the Walsh Fellowships there are up to 50 new research places available each year with a grant of €21,000 per student. Areas of research include agriculture, horticulture, food, agri-food economics, rural development and rural environment, as well as specific topics identified for priority funding each year. Go to www.teagasc.ie for further information.
