The External Voice in Defining an Engaged & Inclusive Institutional Research Culture: Engaged & Inclusive Research Culture Alliance (ERICA)

Why is ERICA important?

Communities have valuable knowledge and ideas for change, gained through their lived and living experience that can be often overlooked in traditional research practice. This scheme enhances engagement with and inclusivity of  the unique insights communities have into the questions, challenges and opportunities that matter for them. ERICA supports communities to explore these issues and co-create research with UCC early-career researchers that provides understanding of key issues and evidence for change.

Bringing your ideas to life

Funding is available to support HRCI member charities, working with UCC researchers, to co-design research around ideas that are important to people and communities served by HRCI Charities, particularly those ideas identified by the communities themselves. We particularly welcome ideas by people and communities that are traditionally underrepresented in research and those that may be experiencing inequalities in health and wellbeing.

Who can apply?

ERICA is designed to support HRCI charities and the people and communities they work with throughout the process. You do not need any previous research experience to get involved. It offers an opportunity to learn new skills, develop experience of research and work alongside experienced researchers on the questions that matter.

The ERICA Community Led Research Scheme fund is a competitive fund. A total of €200,000 is available for the scheme and we expect to fund up to 10 ideas. Funding will be distributed equitably between the Charity and Researcher. Funding may vary across the range of ideas suggested.

How to get involved

All enquiries are welcome and do not commit you to making a formal application.

HRCI member charity

If you are a HRCI member charity, and are curious about the scheme, we would love to hear from you. Whether you have a specific idea or simply want to explore the possibilities, we are happy to have an initial conversation. Please contact Michelle O’Riordan, Education and Public Engagement Officer at ERICAproject@ucc.ie by Friday 16 October 2026.

Simply include your name, and the HRCI member charity you are associated with. If you already have an idea for a research topic or question, feel free to include it, but this is not required.

Following your initial enquiry, we will arrange a conversation to answer any questions and discuss the opportunity in more detail.

UCC Researcher

If you’re an Early Career UCC researcher who would like to be involved with ERICA, firstly notify us of your interest in the scheme by sending an email to Michelle O’Riordan, Education and Public Engagement Officer at ERICAproject@ucc.ie by Friday by 16 October 2026. For more details please see the Information for Researchers page.