The International Joint Initiative for Research Harnessing Disruptive Technologies to Address Global Challenges call will support research projects focused on harnessing disruptive technologies to address at least one of the Sustainable Development Goals or another recognized global challenge.  Projects may be focused on developing or implementing a disruptive technology, or research on the impact of a disruptive technology on society and/or economies.

In this call, Disruptive Technology is defined as “an innovation whose application replaces or radically alters systems, processes and/or behaviours to have transformative economic or societal impacts. The impact may be localized or far-reaching. Disruptive technology may include cutting-edge and novel innovations, or the application of an existing innovation in a new context, bringing about substantial change or paradigm shifts.”

Along with the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals, projects may also apply if they are addressing a global challenge that is not captured by the SDGs.

If the project is not addressing a defined SDG, the proposal will have to justify that its focus is a relevant global challenge for this call, and it will be up to the review panel to assess fit to program.

Each project team must be eligible to receive funds from at least three participating funding organizations. To fulfil this requirement, the project team must include a minimum of three co-principal investigators (co-PIs), and each must be eligible to receive funding from a different participating funding organization. One co-PI must be eligible to apply to the New Frontiers in Research Fund. Only an academic partner based in an eligible Irish Host Research body may apply for Research Ireland funding.

The Irish Co-PI must:

• have held a PhD or equivalent qualification for at least three years at LOI The official date is defined as the day, month and year that the degree was conferred i.e., the month and year printed on the official PhD certificate. Details on Research Ireland’s PhD equivalence policy can be found on the Research Ireland website.

AND

• be a member of academic staff in a Research Ireland Eligible Research Body, and hold either a permanent contract or a contract that covers the period of the grant

OR

• be an independent contract researcher with a signed contract in place on the date of proposal submission. This contract must cover the period of the grant, and the contract researcher must be recognised by the Research Body as an independent investigator and have an independent office and (if applicable) research space at the host Research Body for which the researcher will be fully responsible for at least the duration of the grant,

OR

• be an individual who will be recognised by the Research Body upon receipt of the grant as a member of academic staff or as an independent contract researcher as defined above. The PI does not necessarily need to be employed by the Research Body at the time of proposal submission but must be recognised by the Research Body as an independent investigator and have an independent office and (if applicable) research space at the host Research Body for which the researcher will be fully responsible for at least the duration of the grant.

Co-PIs must also meet all general eligibility and consortium requirements as outlined in the Call Overview Document.

In addition:

• Research Ireland will only accept one application per applicant.

If you would like to connect with other researchers interested in this call, we invite you to join New Frontiers in Research Funds (NFRF) contact list. Complete this survey before February 9, 2026, and you will be added to a list where your contact information will be shared with others interested in participating in this call, and their information will be shared with you. By submitting the survey, you consent to the information you provide being shared with other potential applicants.

More information about the call will be available when it officially launches in January 2026.