The Irish Thoracic Society (ITS) is pleased to invite Expressions of Interest (EOI) applications under the Health Research Charities Ireland, Health Research Board Joint Funding Scheme 2026.
We are inviting research proposals that support the Irish Thoracic Society’s Research Mission of facilitating high quality research that will support the care of patients (adult and paediatric) and contribute to knowledge around the causes, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions.
1. Funding Available
The grant is to the value of €100,000 over two years (€50,000 per annum). This call is made possible thanks to the support of GlaxoSmithKline Ireland through an unrestricted research grant and ITS funding directly from your ITS membership fees.
2. Eligibility Criteria
The Principal Investigator or Co-applicant/Collaborator must be a member of the Irish Thoracic Society for 12 months or more.
Further information on the HRCI HRB eligibility criteria for applicants, co-applicants and projects can be found in the HRCI-HRB Guidance Notes to Applicants document.
3. Public and Patient Involvement
Ensuring Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) in research is of utmost importance to the Irish Thoracic Society, HRCI and the HRB. PPI will be considered at all stages of the ITS and HRB Joint Panel review process. A case study of excellence is available here.
4. Application process
Expressions of interest (EOIs) should be submitted using the ITS EOI Application Form with CVs attached by Monday 15th September at 20:00 to orla.veale@irishthoracicsociety.com
Following scientific and PPI review of EOIs, shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full application.
5. Indicative timeline
- Expression of Interest applications open – 15th of August 2025
- Deadline for submission of EOI – 15th September 2025 @ 20:00
- Notification of outcome of EOI review- 3rd October 2025
- Submission of full application by shortlisted applicants- 24th of November 2025 @ 17:00
- Peer Review Deadline – 26th of February 2026
- Right to reply phase- 27th of February – 13th of March 2026
- HRB Pre-Panel Review – 10th of April – 8th of May 2026
- Joint Funding Committee Meeting – Late May 2026
- Applicant Notification – July 2026
- Earliest Project Start Date – 1st of January 2027
The application must have been reviewed and approved by the signatory approver at the research office (or equivalent) in the Host Institution before it is submitted to the HRB. Please note that many host institutions specify internal deadlines for this procedure.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ can be found on the HRCI website here.
7. Contact
Orla Veale, CEO, the Irish Thoracic Society.