The Health Research Board (HRB) are delighted to host a free, in-person event for our public reviewers and people interested in reviewing health research funding applications as part of a decision about funding.

Who should attend this event?

This event is for existing HRB public reviewers and those interested in becoming a public reviewer for the HRB. Current health care professionals and current health researchers are not eligible as public reviewers.

Register today!

The Health Research Board (HRB)

The HRB funds research that aims to improve people’s health and enhance patient care. We promote the active involvement of members of the public in making decisions about the research from setting the question and throughout the research. This is called Public and Patient involvement (PPI). Researchers are expected to take this into consideration when planning their projects.

For each application, the HRB look for written feedback from scientific reviewers. We also invite input from public reviewers on the quality of the PPI. Please find attached more information on our public review initiative.

Purpose of event:

This half day event will offer an opportunity to get together as a public reviewer community and meet other people in the same role. We hope to have the opportunity to chat with you on the day on your public review experience, what you like about it and any ideas you might like to share with us on how we can improve the process.  It will also give those interested in becoming a public reviewer a chance to learn more about this role and perhaps encourage you to sign up.

This event is a learning opportunity for both reviewers and the HRB and a celebration of the contribution reviewers make to the decisions about what research is funded. You will also hear about some creative ways of incorporating the public and patient involvement (PPI) voice in research.

We hope that you will leave the event feeling more confident on what to look out for when it comes to reviewing by gaining an insight into what strong PPI can look like in research. We also hope that you meet like-minded people and enjoy the day.

Interested in joining us?

If you are interested in joining us in November, you can register here to reserve your place. There is no cost for attending.

Important: Spaces are limited and will be offered on a first come basis. You will receive an email confirming your place ASAP after registration. A waitlist will be in effect once all spaces are allocated.

The programme for the day will be published on our EventBrite page ahead of the event.

Register today!

Public review of HRB health research funding applications 

The Health Research Board (HRB) 

The HRB funds research that aims to improve people’s health and enhance patient care. We promote the active involvement of members of the public in making decisions about the research from setting the question and throughout the research. This is called Public and Patient involvement (PPI). Researchers are expected to take this into consideration when planning their projects. 

For each application, the HRB look for written feedback from scientific reviewers. We also invite input from public reviewers on the quality of the PPI. 

What do public reviewers do? 

Public reviewers provide feedback to researchers on the quality of the PPI in a research funding application. We hope that through your lived experience you will be able to comment on whether the research is in the best interests of the patient. We do not ask you to comment on the scientific methodology or background. Your review is written from your perspective as a member of the public or informed by your knowledge and experience as a patient and/or carer and as an actual or potential user of services. 

Are you interested in reviewing health research funding applications? We want to hear from you! 

The HRB maintains a database of potential public reviewers. Reviewers bring the voice and perspective of the public, independent of organisations or specific causes, to contribute to our funding decisions. We would like to hear from you if you are interested in becoming a reviewer. 

Are there any qualifications or requirements? 

Current health care professionals and current health researchers are not eligible as public reviewers. 

You do not have to have any experience to become a reviewer. You will need to have an email account and be able to fill in forms on a computer. Training workshops are available to those selected to review. Workshops are usually held virtually, and the time commitment is under two hours. On occasion there may be an opportunity to attend in-person workshops. 

We will provide you with a Public Reviewer Application Form should you wish to register. 

Once you have registered as a public reviewer, you may be invited to review research applications. Reviewers are selected by lottery at various points throughout the year. As a public reviewer, you will be asked to review 1-5 research applications and complete a short assessment report within a pre-agreed period of time (usually 4 weeks). The review can be done from home, in your own time, and you will be paid a standard fee for each application reviewed and for attendance at workshops. You may be assigned to a research proposal across a wide variety of health areas. 

Will I be paid for reviewing?
There is a payment of €150 for each review and a payment of €50 for attendance at the virtual workshops/€75 for in person sessions.