Every consultant on the Public Only Consultant Contract (POCC23) can access €8,000 annually to fund innovation projects that improve patient care, streamline services, or advance clinical practice.
In 2026, 778 consultants from across our 6 health regions secured €6.43 million in funding for 243 projects through the Innovation Fund for Consultants (IFC).
From AI tools that reduce missed fractures to new care pathways that cut waiting times and community rehabilitation models shaped by lived experience, there are many ways to improve care. If you have an idea for better care, the IFC can help make it happen.
2027 key dates
- 5 October 2026 - applications open for pre-submission review and formal applications
- 8 January 2027 at 5pm - pre-submission review deadline (optional but recommended)
- 25 March 2027 at 5pm - formal application deadline
Fund transfer timelines for formal applications
- March 2027 - fund transfer for formal applications submitted by 8 January 2027
- June 2027 - fund transfer for formal applications submitted between 9 January and 25 March 2027
Fund transfer dates are subject to confirmation of the NFO transfer schedule for 2027.
Available funding
The IFC is not a research grant or competition. It is a resource already included in your POCC23 contract.
Individual project
- Innovation fund only - up to €8,000
- Innovation fund plus CME - up to €20,000 (your €8,000 innovation fund allocation plus your €12,000 CME allocation)
Pooled project
- Up to €50,000 - 2 or more consultants combine their innovation fund or CME allocations, or both, for a larger initiative
What qualifies as innovation
IFC supports a broad range of innovation activity directed at improving patient care. Examples include, but are not limited to:
Service innovation and pathway redesign
One-stop clinics, streamlined referrals, new models of care delivery.
Digital and technology-enabled care
AI tools, telemedicine, point-of-care devices, data-driven decision support.
Workforce optimisation
Simulation-based training, new team configurations, capability building.
Translational clinical research
Moving evidence into practice, pilot studies with clear service impact.
Not sure if your idea fits
Book a session with the Spark team for an eligibility check and advice on developing your innovation plan. Email ifc@hse.ie
How to access the fund
Step 1: Prepare your idea
Applications for the 2027 IFC open on 5 October 2026. Talk to your clinical director to secure institutional support. Use our Application Assessment Checklist to confirm your project aligns with the IFC guidance.
Optional: Submit your pre-submission application for review by 8 January 2027 (recommended)
Submit your proposal to the Spark team for feedback before formal submission. This can help strengthen your application.
Step 2: Submit your application
Your completed application will be assessed against the IFC guidelines.
Option A: Submit by 8 January 2027 to receive funds from March
Option B: Submit by 25 March 2027 to receive funds from June
Step 3: Approval and fund transfer
Approved projects receive a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for electronic signature through DocuSign. Once the MOA is signed and supporting documentation is returned, funds transfer to your hospital.
Step 4: Implement your innovation
You have until 31 December 2027 to spend your funding, and 12 months from date of fund transfer to implement your project. The Spark team will support you throughout the process with mentoring, design input and implementation guidance.
Why apply early?
- Get feedback from the Spark team through a pre-submission review to help strengthen your application.
- Receive funding from March by submitting your formal application by 8 January.
- Have 9 to 10 months to use the funding before the end of the calendar year.
How we've made the process easier
Based on consultant feedback, the IFC now offers:
✓ Clear assessment criteria - every application is assessed against the published Application Assessment Checklist, for transparency and consistency.
✓ Electronic signatures - MOAs are issued through DocuSign, eliminating delays in obtaining physical signatures.
✓ Earlier fund transfers - early formal applicants (by 8 January) receive funds from March, which eases the year-end rush. Formal applications submitted after 8 January but by 25 March receive funds from June.
✓ Pre-submission review - submit by 8 January 2027 to receive feedback before formal submission. This gives you time to strengthen your application and secure the necessary approvals.
Guidance and support
IFC Guidance Document (PDF, 445 KB, 35 pages)
Complete guidelines on eligibility, assessment criteria and funding rules
Application Assessment Checklist (PDF, 244 KB, 5 pages)
Use this to self-review your application before submission - the same checklist Spark uses to assess your project
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about the IFC, including the application process, eligibility and funding.
Application forms
- Pre-Submission Application Form for pre-submission by 8 January 2027
- Formal Application Form for formal submission by 25 March 2027
- 6 Month Progress Report Form
- 12 Month Final Report Form
- Template of Application Form (Word, 45 KB, 20 pages)
Additional forms (as needed)
CME to Innovation Fund Transfer Form (Form B)
Innovation to CME Fund Transfer Form (Form C)
Pooling document (Word, 15 KB, 1 page) (for consultants collaborating on shared projects)
Contact
Email: ifc@hse.ie