Investigator-Led Projects (ILP)
Funds independent health research teams in Ireland across clinical, population, and health service priorities.
Investigator-Led Projects is the Health Research Board's flagship competitive grant for independent health researchers in Ireland. Under HRB, it backs patient-oriented research, population health research, and health services research, with teams that combine researchers, knowledge users, and PPI contributors so the work stays tied to both method and practice. The programme is funded at about €12 million per cycle and expects at least 27 awards. Awards can reach €430,000 total, including overheads, across 24 to 48 months, and applicants must lead from an HRB-recognised host institution or be recognised by that institution as independent investigators at award stage. The current cycle closed in October 2025, with decisions expected in June 2026, and the programme keeps an annual cadence. ILP runs through GEMS, with host institution approval required before submission. The strongest applications will be led by investigators who can show an independent track record and assemble a team that is credible across methods, practice knowledge, and public involvement, because the scheme rewards mature research leadership rather than early-stage idea generation.
Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.