The Health Research Board, Dublin (HRB) and the R&D Office provide funding to support systematic review training on the island of Ireland. The Cochrane Fellowship scheme forms part of a commitment to increase the ability of researchers to conduct high quality R&D for health and for managers and professionals to be aware of, and act upon, the results.

The Cochrane Fellowship is intended for suitably qualified individuals, resident on the island of Ireland with an interest in health and social care. Applicants from Northern Ireland must be employed within the Health and Personal Social Services (HPSS) , voluntary/not-for-profit organsiations or within an academic institution. The Fellowship will provide the successful individual with protected time on an indicative part-time basis of up to two days per week for up to two years. The award will be sufficiently flexible to accommodate a variety of working patterns to reflect the specific working circumstances of the individual applicant. The successful applicant will be expected to complete a Cochrane review during the term of the fellowship and to commit to the maintenance of the review thereafter. The awards will support appropriate systematic review training, the applicant's salary costs and research expenses.