HRB Annual progress report reviewer 2025-29

Description

The Health Research Board (hereinafter referred to as the “HRB”) is a statutory agency under the aegis of the Department of Health. An overview of the HRB’s objectives and activities may be found in The HRB Strategy 2021-2025, Health research - making an impact, (https://www.hrb.ie/strategy-2025/). The HRB oversees an approximate €50 million investment in health research activity each year. 2. ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORTS PROCESS The HRB awards research grants to Irish universities and some other institutions (collectively known as Host Institutions). Most of these grants are multi-annual in nature. The Host Institutions submit annual progress reports on the grants, and a Final Financial Report for each grant upon completion. One financial expert is required for 320 hours over a 20 week period each year (from 2025 to 2028 inclusive) to undertake the financial review of Annual Progress Reports. This review occurs at the same time as the scientific review which is managed by the Research Strategy and Funding (RSF) unit of the HRB. The HRB now invites tenderers to submit a tender proposal. The successful tenderer will be required to: · Provide a financial expert to review approximately 190 Annual Progress Reports (Part B’s). · Other ad hoc finance duties may be requested over the life of the contract . The tasks to be completed include ensuring that: • 1. the HRB annual report has been prepared for the correct reporting period and is mathematically correct. 2. it includes the correct HRB and institutional grant reference numbers and principal investigator details • 3. start and end dates of the grant as shown on the report are in agreement with contract/legal documentation • 4. the pro rata cumulative budget shown on the report has been calculated on a year-by-year basis as agreed in the grant contract or as subsequently approved in a Letter of Contract Variation and that the cumulative budget shown takes account of Social Benefit Payments made to date on the award (if any). • 5. the cumulative amount of funding shown on the report as paid on the award by HRB by the cut-off date for the current reporting period is in agreement with HRB records and that the analysis of funding paid over between expense categories is in agreement with the award contract (as amended by a letter of variation). • 6. variances are correctly calculated and do not exceed permitted limits. Adequate and reasonable explanations are provided. • 7. Funding contributions received from other sources match amounts specified in the grant contract (or as subsequently approved in a contract Letter of Contract Variation) • 8. Research staff salaries charged to the award are in accordance with the rates/levels approved by the HRB. The period for which each individual member of research staff is charged to the grant in in accordance with the contract (as amended) • 9. expenditure on equipment is in accordance with the contract (as amended) and the rules of the specific HRB award scheme • 10. information contained in the general ledger extract supplied by the research hosting institution is in agreement with the information supplied elsewhere in the PART B annual return. The listing should also be reviewed to identify if any indirect costs have been charged to the award. • 11. information provided in Part B of the Annual Report corroborates and does not contradict information provided in Part A. • 12. the information in Part B 2025 is not inconsistent with the Part B submitted in 2024. • 13. Update the annual report log to record all queries/matters of concern. • 14. Review responses on financial queries received from Host Institutions for reasonableness and comment on the significance of the responses received • 15. Attend and actively participate in weekly/fortnightly meetings where queries/matters of concern are discussed with the Post Award Team.