EDUCATION AND RESOURCE
Welcome to the in4kids Resource and Education Page. The information here is aimed at navigating the research environment and equipping you with the information and skills necessary to optimise your research output. We welcome any suggestions and feedback. If you have a resource that may be useful to the paediatric research community and want to share it, please get in touch with in4kids@ucc.ie
ICH GCP — International Conference on Harmonisation: Good Clinical Practice
ICH GCP is an international standard for the design, conduct, recording, and reporting of clinical trials involving human participants. It outlines the responsibilities of sponsors, investigators, and other stakeholders to protect the rights, safety, and well-being of trial participants, while ensuring the integrity and credibility of clinical trial data.
The Guidelines were revised in 2025 — the latest edition is Revision 3. Most clinical trials and research projects require an ICH GCP certificate.
👉 Complete the Global Health Network’s ICH GCP E6(R3) course and get certified
Ethical Approval for Research
If your study is a regulated interventional study, it will require regulatory approval from the National Office for Research Ethics Committees (NREC), which provides a coordinated and comprehensive response to ethics requirements.
Please note: Most research institutions and clinical sites have additional ethics requirements. Consult your local Research Ethics Committee (REC) for the most up-to-date information and guidance.
👉 List of hospital-based Research Ethics Committees — HSE Research & Development
Data Protection
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is an EU law governing data protection and privacy. It mandates how organisations must collect, store, and process the personal data of individuals within the EU.
Health Research Regulations (HRR) provide suitable and specific measures for the processing of personal data for health research in Ireland. The most fundamental requirement is obtaining the explicit consent of the individual.
In 2021, the Department of Health amended the original regulations, addressing five key areas:
Processing personal data to establish suitability or eligibility for inclusion in health research
Carrying out low-risk retrospective chart reviews
Deferred consent in exceptional situations
Informed consent obtained during the time of the EU Data Protection Directive
Explicit consent for processing personal data in a health research context
👉 Amendments to the Health Research Regulations
Health Research Consent Declaration Committee (HRCDC)
In exceptional cases where obtaining consent is not possible and the public interest of the research significantly outweighs the need for explicit consent, the HRCDC may grant a consent declaration.
👉 Full guidance and application instructions — HRCDC website
Research Ireland
Research Ireland was formed in 2025 from the merger of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council. Its mission is:
“To develop an internationally renowned Research and Innovation System for the prosperity of the people of Ireland.”
Research Ireland is open to all areas of research and offers regular funding opportunities.
👉 Programme Plan for 2026 — timelines and deadlines
👉 Research Ireland Strategy — Curiosity, Capability and Competitiveness
Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA)
IPHA represents the collective voice of the pharmaceutical industry in Ireland, providing information, reports and advocacy.
👉 2026 Goodbody Report on the Pharmaceutical Industry in Ireland
👉 Pharmaceutical Industry role in shaping Ireland’s Life Science Strategy
Clinical Trials Advisory Council
The Department of Health established a Clinical Trials Oversight Group (NCTOG) in 2025 to examine the clinical trials landscape in Ireland, with the aim of increasing the number of trials and improving access for participants. Its final report led to the establishment of a Clinical Trials Advisory Council in early 2026.
👉 Read the National Clinical Trial Oversight Group Final Report
Funding Information
in4kids does not provide funding, however, we are happy to support in applications. See the in4kids news section for further information on new funding calls such as ERDERA and PRISM.
The Health Research Board, HRB, is Ireland’s Primary health and social care research funding agency. The HRB invests more than €50 million each year. In addition, the HRB co-funds with other partners in areas of common interest. For up to date information on funding calls, visit the funding page of the HRB here.
HORIZON Europe is the key EU funding programme. A dedicated Irish National Support Network provides expertise when competing for the HORIZON grants.
Other sources of information regarding funding opportunities are also available from Research Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland offers support in funding and commercialisation of research projects. The Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) is a €500 million challenge-based fund established under Project Ireland 2040. It is managed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and administered by Enterprise Ireland. The next DTIF call opens in October 2026, for more information, read here.
Public and Patient Involvement (PPI)
For guidance on incorporating PPI into a grant application, click here to listen to a recorded webinar with Dr. Anne Coady from the HRB.
PPI IGNITE, along with DCU, Barretstown and Tusla, have developed a toolkit on guidance when working with children and young people in research.
Payment and Reimbursement of PPI Contributors — practical advice on compensating PPI contributors for their time, covering workshop participation, meeting preparation, travel, and documentation.
For help in budgeting for PPI in Research Applications, PPI IGNITE have also produced this budgeting resource.
Created in partnership with Rare Diseases Clinical Trial Network and Health Research Charities Ireland (HRCI), this Equality, Diversity and Inclusion guide offers practical steps to make health research inclusive for all.
The PPI Impact Framework provides PPI contributors, researchers and other stakeholders a model to plan for and capture the impact of a research project that includes PPI contributors and contributions.
PPI IGNITE at UCC offer a Digital Badge in Patient and Public Involvement (PPI). This is a validated micro-credential awarded to earners in an online format. The course is open to researchers at all career stages from within and outside UCC. Participants can take the course in their own time, at their own pace.
In4kids is the Irish hub in the
conect4children Stichting.
c4c-S is an innovative pan-European paediatric clinical trial network of high-quality, trial-ready sites, and multidisciplinary experts.
👉Find out more here