Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR), a global scientific programme co-sponsored by the International Science Council (ISC) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), invites applications from qualified institutes to become IRDR International Centres of Excellence (IRDR ICoEs).

What is an IRDR ICoE?

IRDR ICoEs serve as hubs for transdisciplinary research, capacity building, and policy support in advancing the mission of IRDR, which is to mobilise science for disaster risk reduction (DRR), resilience building, and sustainable development. IRDR ICoEs will, inter alia, enable regional scientific activities through geographically focused contributions based on more localised inputs and by being visible centres of research and actions within the wider IRDR community.

Please refer to the Terms of Reference for IRDR ICoEs for more details.

Application Process

Interested DRR-related research institutes are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) to IRDR’s International Programme Office (IPO) that includes the following information:

1. A description of the organisation requesting to become an IRDR ICoE, including its basic organisational structure, key personnel, funding sources, scientific research capacity, and linkages with the international DRR network.

2. An overview of the institute’s professional activities for the past five to 10 years, including past and ongoing programmes regarding disaster risk research.

3. A plan for incorporating IRDR's objectives into its own mission and its implementation.

4. A vision to develop the IRDR ICoE.

5. Identification of funding and other forms of support.

Additional Note

Applicants are required to review the list and research foci of the existing IRDR ICoEs. Proposals that duplicate the scope or names of any existing ICoE may not be considered.

Submission

Applicants are required to download and complete the Expression of Interest form (PDF version) (Word version) and submit along with a cover letter as a single PDF file via email to connect@irdrinternational.org, with the following subject: [2026 ICoE Application] + Name of proposed ICoE.

We look forward to receiving your applications. Please contact the following officers if you have any questions:

· Ms. Kerry-Ann Morris, Science and Communication Officer, kerry-ann.morris@irdrinternational.org.

· Ms. Fang Lian, Science Officer, fang.lian@irdrinternational.org