Secondary Data Analysis Projects (SDAP)

Secondary Data Analysis Projects (SDAP) — Cycle 2

Supports Irish research groups analysing existing health and social care data to answer policy-relevant questions and improve practice.

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

The Health Research Board (HRB) Secondary Data Analysis Projects (SDAP) scheme funds research teams to answer policy- and practice-relevant questions by analysing existing Irish or international health and social care datasets, without primary data collection. SDAP 2025 operated as a two-cycle annual scheme; Cycle 2 opened on 1 September 2025 and closed on 9 January 2026. Awards reach a maximum of €350,000 — an increase from the €250,000 ceiling in the previous round — with project durations of 36 to 42 months, the longer duration available for projects involving tool development.

Eligible applicants are universities, research organisations, and nonprofits based in Ireland; for-profit entities are excluded, and applications must include both a researcher and a knowledge user as Lead Applicant and Co-Applicant(s). Data controllers are encouraged to join as Co-Applicants or collaborators. Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) contributors are expected, with justification required when excluded. Datasets must be existing Irish or international datasets; RCT data requires specific justification; and audits or service improvement projects are explicitly excluded. All proposals must demonstrate direct relevance to Irish health and social care policy or practice.

Applications were submitted through the HRB GEMS portal at grants.hrb.ie. The two-cycle structure means a new SDAP 2026 Cycle 1 is expected to open approximately February 2026, giving applicants who missed the January deadline a near-term second opportunity. Strong applications clearly identify the policy or practice gap being addressed, demonstrate access to and governance approval for the relevant datasets, and present a credible team pairing research expertise with knowledge-user engagement.