Background

Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) is an international scientific programme cosponsored by the International Science Council (ISC) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). IRDR’s mission is to mobilize science for the reduction of all types of disaster risk; building resilience and reducing vulnerability by integrating risk science with climate change adaptation and mitigation and sustainable development. IRDR aims to usher in an inclusive, safe and sustainable world by promoting a better understanding of disaster risk and the effective use of risk science in decision-making.

In 2024, IRDR Scientific Committee (SC) endorsed the Declaration “Science for an Inclusive, Safe and Sustainable World: Actions of IRDR Global Community” to support the implementation of “A Framework for Global Science in Support of Risk-informed Sustainable Development and Planetary Health” (Framework) and the UN 2030 agendas. According to the IRDR Action Plan 2025-2027, IRDR Pilot Study (PS) led or driven by the IRDR community and broadening DRR stakeholders will be established in this regard.

IRDR Pilot Study

IRDR PS is a research project focusing on the research priorities proposed in the IRDR Action Plan and funded by IRDR International Programme Office (IPO). IPO will fund no more than five PS in 2025.

IRDR PS aims to connect the scientific activities of ICoEs, generate cutting-edge research outputs, enhance the influence of ICoEs, and explore the working mechanisms of IRDR Work Stream[1].

1. The application of PS will be open according to the IRDR Action Plan.

2. Each PS will last for 12 to 18 months. IPO will provide 10,000-20,000 EUR for each PS. The final funding amount for each PS will be determined through the final review by the evaluation committee. A contract will be signed between the leading institute of each PS and IPO.

3. IRDR PS are required to contribute open data, research papers and/or DRR solutions. IPO will organize the mid-term and final reviews of the performance of each PS.

4. IRDR PS are required to organize at least one seminar/workshop for ICoE network and IRDR communities during the project implementation.

Priority areas of research in 2025-2027

a) Risk-informed development: This initiative will leverage advanced technologies for accurate multi-hazard and systemic risk assessments, integrating these tools into national development strategies. The goal is to mainstream DRR into urban resilience planning, particularly in rapidly urbanizing areas.

b) Climate change and public health: This initiative will focus on understanding the impacts of climate change on public health and developing enhanced early warning systems. An integrated approach will be designed to address vulnerabilities, especially gender vulnerabilities, and health inequities exacerbated by extreme climate events.

c) DRR financing: This initiative will explore diverse financing mechanisms and innovative financial tools for investing in resilient infrastructure and supporting post-disaster recovery from a human rights perspective.

d) DRR education: This initiative aims to empower young professionals and local practitioners from multi-stakeholder and multi-sector through capacity-building programmes, especially in Africa and Asia-Pacific.

e) Citizen Science Research: This initiative will engage local communities in assessing their vulnerabilities through citizen science. It targets to build resilience by providing tools and technologies and promoting anticipatory actions.

Evaluation

The evaluation criteria for PS will be comprehensively assessed based on core dimensions such as academic innovation and scientific rigor, added value and impact, feasibility, and research foundation.

The evaluation committee will have five panelists consisting of IRDR Executive Director, IRDR SC members, IRDR Fellows and IRDR Partners. IRDR SC will approve the final list of IRDR PS.

Application Process, Materials and Timeline

The IRDR Pilot Studies will follow the timeline below to ensure that each application undergoes a rigorous and fair evaluation process in 2025. Please kindly note that the date of announcement may be subject to delays due to the evaluation and decision-making process.

1. Submission of the proposals, 11 August – 28 September, 2025

Applicants should submit the Application Form (appendix 1) to IRDR IPO via email: connect@irdrinternational.org, with subject “[IRDR PS Application]+title of PS”

2. Format Review, 29 September – 7 October, 2025

IRDR IPO will conduct a format review to ensure that the submitted materials meet the requirements. The applicants will be contacted when the necessary materials are required.

3. Evaluation Committee Review, 8 October – 31 October, 2025

The evaluation committee will conduct a comprehensive review and finalize the selection of projects and their funding amounts.

4. Final Approval, 1 November – 7 November, 2025

IRDR Scientific Committee will review the evaluation result submitted by the evaluation committee and approve the establishment of IRDR Pilot Studies.

5. Announcement and Logistic Process, 10 November, 2025

IRDR IPO will announce the list of approved 2025 IRDR Pilot Studies and start the logistics process of funding contracts.

Contact

For application-related questions, please contact Fang Lian, IRDR Science Officer, fang.lian@irdrinternational.org

[1] A work stream is a cluster of research tasks and scientific activities to be completed by a team of assembled workgroups. IRDR Work Streams are set to pursue cooperation between IRDR community especially IRDR ICoEs on cross-cutting themes in DRR research and grouping expertise for fundraising and visibility.