Health Research Board (HRB) Health and Social Care, Research and Development Division (HSCR&D) of the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland

The Centre for Health Research Methodology (CHRM) is home to Evidence Synthesis Ireland (ESI), Cochrane Ireland, and the HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN). These national research infrastructures are funded by the HRB (ESI and HRB-TMRN) and the HSC R&D Division of the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland (ESI). These major national initiatives within CHRM provide a vibrant research environment characterised by a shared vision for innovative research with high impact. At the heart of the functioning of these initiatives is the collaboration with global partners to facilitate research capacity-building needs in Ireland, where expertise in complex and diverse specialist areas is severely limited. This request outlines the research collaboration with Evidence Synthesis Fellowship Host Centres. Host Centres have highly experienced Review Teams with exceptional topic and systematic review methodology expertise, both nationally and internationally. The review team is typically affiliated with a research centre/University and usually comprises a multidisciplinary group of systematic reviewers, clinicians, healthcare providers, and public/patients. Reviews are ongoing, and in collaboration with Evidence Synthesis Ireland, Host Centres agree to take on a Fellow to build capacity in researchers/clinicians etc. from the island of Ireland. A designated mentor on the Review Team undertakes to support and mentor the Fellow, providing educational support in partnership with ESI. This activity is detailed explicitly in the proposal for the HRB Grant ESI-2021-001 which was awarded to Evidence Synthesis Ireland (2021-2025) (Principal Investigator: Prof Declan Devane).