SPHeRE PhD Programme
The SPHeRE Programme provides excellent training for scholars in core health services and population health research skills.
- Principal investigator(s) Katherine Walsh (SPHeRE Programme Manager and point of contact)
- Research theme Population Health and Health Services
SPHeRE is Ireland’s national research training programme for population health, policy and health services research (PHPHSR) and is funded by the Health Research Board in Ireland. SPHeRE means ‘Structured Population health, Policy and Health-services Research Education’.
The full-time four-year structured PhD programme features:
- Six taught modules completed in the first year of the programme
- A workshop programme that runs over the four years of the programme
- Opportunities for multidisciplinary research
- Supervision by internationally renowned principal investigators
In addition, SPHeRE HRB-funded scholars benefit from:
- Eight-week specialist rotation in Irish health-related agencies in the first year
- Placement with a prestigious overseas agency to further PhD project development in the second or third year
- Professional skills training allowance
- Travel funds to national training days and international conferences
- Annual stipend of €25,000, plus laptop computer, plus PhD fees
This programme provides excellent training for scholars in core health services, policy and population health research skills.
Applications are now being accepted for SPHeRE Scholarships, from self-funded applicants and from alternatively funded applicants (meaning you already have a source of funding from a workplace, institution etc.).
Further details on the programme and the application process can be found on the SPHeRE website.
Mandatory in-person SPHeRE Programme Orientation will take place from 23-25 September 2026 in RCSI Dublin and Trinity College Dublin.
Teaching takes place in person each week in year one and attendance is mandatory.
How to apply
Applicants who wish to apply for a SPHeRE funded Scholarship must submit an application form and select their preferred project (or a maximum of three projects) from the 10 projects below. Six scholarships are available for the 2025 academic year. Out of the 10 advertised projects, six projects will receive a SPHeRE funded scholar. Further details on the projects can be found through the links below.
The chosen projects come under the following project areas:
- Health policy and systems research
- Health service and technology evaluation
- Population health research
Projects are linked to an institution, and so Scholars will be based at the institution to which the project is linked. It will not be possible for Scholars to move a project to their preferred institution.
PhD projects
- Alternative Care Pathways to the Emergency Department for Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Study Utilising the 4M Framework to Inform the Development of an Age-Friendly National Ambulance Service (UL)
- BRIDGE – Building Routine Integration of Data on housing and mental health for Guiding Evidence-based recovery (RCSI)
- Collaborative Care for the Management of Depression among Patients with Cancer within the Irish Healthcare System: Acceptability, Feasibility, and Economic Impact (RCSI)
- Co-designing and Validating a Primary Care Minimum Data Set for the Irish Dementia Registry (UCC)
- Development of a framework for the provision of rehabilitative palliative care in Ireland (TCD)
- Exploring the co-design and feasibility of Pain Cafés for older adults with chronic pain (UL)
- GOVernance and REFORM of the IRish Health System: Generating evidence to inform Health Region implementation and enhance outcomes (GOV-REFORM-IR) (TCD)
- The first five years: Early-life housing insecurity and its impact on children’s health and development (UCC)
- The Lived Experience of Digital Transformation: Capturing Clinician Perspectives on the Transition to Digital-First Mental Health Care (UCD)
- Understanding and enhancing uptake of Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Obesity in Primary Care settings (UCD)
Those applying for a SPHeRE Scholarship or as a self-funded applicant are asked to complete an application form and submit a one-page cover letter and a two-page curriculum vitae (including degree grades and contact details for two referees). In your cover letter, please discuss your education, training, and experience (research and/or practice) in population health, policy and health services research (PHPHSR) and provide evidence of leadership (in an academic and/or non-academic capacity). Additionally, you may consider indicating how your prior experience is relevant and potentially addresses the SPHeRE research priorities.
Alternatively funded applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. If you wish to apply as an Alternatively Funded Scholar please contact SPHeRE Programme Manager Katherine Walsh at katherinewalsh@rcsi.com.
Successful non-EU applicants for funded positions will be liable for fees above that for European applicants. Fees vary, but further information on fees can be found on the websites of the individual institutions.
Application deadline: 12 noon, Monday, 20 April 2026.
Interview dates: Online on Wednesday, 13 May and Monday, 18 May 2026.
Please note
- It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure the application form is completed in full and on time – late and/or incomplete applications will not normally be assessed.
- We will not be able to facilitate requests for alternative interview dates.
- Unfortunately, we are unable to provide individual feedback to applicants.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.
- Successful non-EU applicants for funded positions will be liable for fees above that for European applicants. Fees vary, but further information on fees can be found on the websites of the individual institutions.