Information for Health Researchers
We are delighted to support many and varied research projects through the provision of clinically unsuitable or out-of-date blood components. We welcome all researchers requesting blood components as part of their work and look forward to reviewing applications.
Applications for Components for Research are now closed and will re-open in December 2025
If you have any questions please email research@ibts.ie
Health Research Information for Donors
We carry out research and development to make sure health researchers use un-transfused donations blood in the best possible ways. For more information on how this directly applies to donated products, please refer to
(1) List of all health research projects currently using donated material
(2) Our donor information booklet and consent form
Donation Information for Whole Blood Donors
Donation Information for Platelet Donors
Donor Declaration form / Health & Lifestyle questionnaire
What is Health Research?
Health research is the process used to discover new knowledge about health, disease and well-being using expertise from many different medical and scientific fields.
What type of Health Research may use my donation?
Health research can include: (1) Biomedical Research, which focuses on understanding the biology of the body at the cellular and molecular level and (2) Clinical Research, which studies the safety and effectiveness of future disease treatments.
Why is Health Research needed?
If we did not do health research, we could not develop new and better treatments for patients, or learn more about our own health. The IBTS is the only source in Ireland of cells and other donated material, collected from healthy individuals. This aspect of our service directly helps to advance science and medicine for future generations.
Why do researchers want to use donations?
Most of the research will use your immune cells to learn more about how our immune system functions in different situations. Experiments may analyse your cells, biochemistry and biological activity using various laboratory techniques. The methods used will depend on the type of research. IBTS reviews the research project objectives prior to approving any researchers access to this service. Researchers are not permitted to carry out experiments that aim to profile your DNA or genetic background.
What if a patient needs by donation?
We will ALWAYS prioritise the needs of Irish patients over health research. Please be assured that if a patient needs your donation, they will get it!
Will I know what who is using my donation for their research?
The IBTS has a list of all projects on their website and we have full traceability of where your donation goes. If you required more detailed information, please send a request to research@ibts.ie
Will the Health Research affect my donation?
There is NO impact on your donation or eligibility to donate. The process is exactly the same.
Can I be identified by the research team?
All biological material that is used for research purposes is NOT DIRECTLY IDENTIFIABLE by the researcher. The Donation ID is the only personal data that is directly linked to your identity. The link between your donation ID and donor profile will ALWAYS remain at the IBTS for traceability purposes.
How will my data be used in health research?
Depending on the biological material, four different aspects of your personal data may be shared - your Donation ID number and your Blood Group, and on occasion to help with the analysis, your Gender and your age in years. You can exercise your rights any time in relation to your personal data by contacting the IBTS data protection officer at dpo@ibts.ie.
Is the research ethical?
All the individual research studies must be approved by the institutions’ research ethics committee. A research ethics committee reviews health research to ensure that studies are conducted responsibly and with respect for participants. The key principles include (1) Autonomy, respecting the right to make informed decisions), (2) Beneficence, doing good and maximizing benefits, (3) Non-maleficence, avoiding harm, and (4) Justice, ensuring fair and equitable treatment.
Will my donation be used for research carried out only in Ireland?
Yes we provide non-transfused donated material only to researchers located in Ireland.
Does IBTS get paid for my donation for research?
No, the IBTS provides non-transfused donations free-of-charge to health researchers
Could my donation be used by the pharma industry?
Yes, but ONLY for health research purposes and NOT for commercial gain
What happens to what is left when the researchers are finished with it?
Researchers dispose of all donated material once the Health research is completed.
Will I find out the research results?
The results of the research studies may be reported in medical/scientific journals, theses or reports, and disclosed at medical/scientific conferences. We are happy to direct you to these publications following an email request to research@ibts.ie.
How can I contact the Research team?
Please email all queries to research@ibts.ie