We’ve published our Research Strategy 2025-2027. It sets out how we will lead, support and take part in research and builds on our research strategy framework 2023-2027.
The strategy is about using research to help improve screening programmes and population health outcomes, while continuing to provide safe, high-quality, person-centred screening services.
Every year, our 4 national screening programmes – BowelScreen, BreastCheck, CervicalCheck and Diabetic RetinaScreen - serve more than 1.3 million eligible people across Ireland.
Research plays an important role in helping us continue to improve these services. It helps us understand what works well, where we can do better, and how we can make screening more effective, more accessible and more equitable for everyone.
The strategy supports our organisational strategy, Choose Screening – Together we can make a difference 2023–2027. It outlines how we will strengthen research partnerships, support staff involvement in research, and use evidence to improve policy and practice.
What the strategy focuses on
Our research activity focuses on 4 priority areas:
- improving screening effectiveness and efficiency
- enhancing participation and equity in screening
- evaluating new screening technologies and pathways
- maintaining high standards through quality assurance and programme evaluation research.
This includes research into:
- barriers that may stop some people taking part in screening
- ways to improve access and participation for underrepresented groups
- new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI)
- improving screening pathways and participant experience
- evaluating future screening developments.
Working together through partnerships
The strategy highlights the importance of collaboration in screening research.
We will continue to work closely with universities and academic institutions, healthcare partners, national and international screening networks, and research organisations and policy bodies.
These partnerships will help strengthen research, share learning and contribute to international evidence and best practice in population screening.
Supporting staff and building research skills
A key part of the strategy is supporting our staff to develop research skills and contribute to research activity within their roles.
This includes:
- research mentoring and training
- opportunities to take part in research collaborations
- support for conference participation and knowledge sharing
- building research skills and capacity across the organisation.
Keeping people at the centre of research
We are committed to involving patients and the public in research led by us and seek feedback when setting research priorities. We publish plain language summaries of research findings and share our research in ways that are clear and accessible.
Looking ahead
By the end of 2027, we aim to have strengthened research governance, expanded research partnerships, supported staff development, and continued research that informs screening policy and practice.