Fighting Blindness are now accepting Expression of Interest (EOI) applications for the HRCI-HRB Joint Funding Scheme 2025/2026.
All proposals to Fighting Blindness must address our research priorities outlined below.
Fighting Blindness have Expression of Interest Guidelines that outline detailson specific Fighting Blindness aspects of the call. It is important to read this document.
All other information on the scheme can be found in the HRCI-HRB Instructions to Applicants document. It is of vital importance that you read the HRCI-HRB Instructions to Applicants document as it contains all eligibility information.
Fighting Blindness is committed to the development of therapies that are accessible to all patients affected by inherited retinal degenerative disease and age-related macular disease (AMD) through the pursuit and enablement of scientific medical research.
For this co-funding scheme, we are inviting original, internationally-competitive proposals that are relevant to the research priorities of Fighting Blindness and align with one or more of the following research areas (within IRDs and/or AMD. Applications in diabetic retinopathy will also be considered):
Applications are encouraged from researchers from diverse disciplines once it can be demonstrated that the project meets the research priorities of Fighting Blindness.
Please contact research@fightingblindness.ie if you have questions around these research priorities.
The maximum funding available is €300,000 for 36 month project duration. However, projects from 12 months will also be considered.
Further information on the eligibility criteria of applicants, co-applicants etc can be found in the HRCI-HRB Instructions to Applicants document.
International applications
Please note that applications from researchers based in international research institutes will be considered, however, it must be clear in the application that there is no research capacity for the project in the Republic of Ireland.
Therefore, for international applications it is strongly recommended that there are co-applicants or collaborators in Republic of Ireland where possible. This is of key importance to an application.
Applications must be made using the Expression of Interest Application Form.
Additional Fighting Blindness specific information for this call can be found in the Fighting Blindness Call Expression of Interest Guidelines document. Please follow these guidelines carefully when completing the Expression of Interest Application Form.
Completed application forms (including CVs) must be sent to research@fightingblindness.ie by 5pm Monday 1st September 2025.
Following scientific review and Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) review, a shortlist of successful applicants will be notified for requests for their full application.
Applicants invited to submit a full application will be provided with all relevant documentation.
Changes to Full Application Process: Please note that Full Applications must be submitted directly by lead applicants to the HRB via the online Grant E-Management System (GEMS).
Below is an indicative timeline for the award. Please note these dates are subject to change.
| Expression of Interest applications open | Wednesday, 9th July 2025 |
| Deadline for submission of EOI to Fighting Blindness | 5pm, Monday 1st September 2025 |
| Notification of outcome of EOI review and invite to submit Full Application | Early October 2025 |
| Submission of Full Application to GEMS system by Lead Applicants (if shortlisted) | Mid November 2025 |
| Applicant response phase | January/February 2026 |
| Submission of shortlisted applications to HRB | March 2026 |
Further information on the call including eligibility criteria of applicants and project, application process, review process, information on PPI etc. can be found in the HRCI-HRB Instructions to Applicants document.
Please note that these are preliminary guidelines and the final guidelines will be available ahead of the invitation to submit a full application for shortlisted applicants.
All proposals must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the HRCI-HRB Instructions to Applicants document and also address the research priorities of Fighting Blindness.
Information on the HRCI-HRB Joint Funding Scheme, including previous rounds of the scheme, can also be found on:
If you have any questions please contact the research department via email on research@fightingblindness.ie.