HSC R&D Division's Enabling Research Awards (ERAs) are designed to support researchers in their acquisition of funding through NIHR Evaluations Trials and Studies funding programmes (excluding NIHR i4i), UK Research and Innovation funding (i.e. relevant Research Council funding), AMRC member charities, US-Ireland Partnership Programme, Wellcome Trust, EU and other international research funding streams. Eligibility of applications targeting other funding bodies will be considered on a case by case basis.
The aim of this investment is to increase the rate and number of successful applications from Northern Ireland-based lead researchers to external funding bodies.
The scheme is open to experienced Northern Ireland-based investigators working in research relevant to health or social care. Applicants must be employed within health or social care services, voluntary/not-for-profit organisations providing health or social care, or within a higher education institution in Northern Ireland.
Applications for the next round of the ERA scheme will open on Monday 17th August 2026
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Scope of awards
Enabling Research Awards are intended to support the completion of preparatory and/or developmental work that will improve the outcomes of a subsequent grant application to an externally funded research programme. Research studies which actively involve patients/service users/public/carers/health and social care staff and/or their data will be prioritised.
The scheme will not support (i) purely exploratory research; (ii) service evaluations; (iii) research involving animals, animal/human tissue or both, or cell lines; (iv) stand alone literature or systematic reviews; (v) purchase of equipment; (vi) publication costs; (vii) the development of secondary databases to inform future research; (viii) extensions/adaptations to existing funded research projects; (ix) applications in support of career development awards.
The maximum value of an award is £50,000.
Further details can be found in the scheme guidance notes. Potential applicants are advised to contact Dr Janet Diffin (Senior R&D Programme Manager) to discuss their application (Janet.Diffin@hscni.net).
Page last updated: 30/07/26