IRDR's global ICoE network expands with leading institutions from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. (Credit: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)
The Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) programme, co-sponsored by the International Science Council (ISC) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), is pleased to announce the designation of six new International Centres of Excellence (ICoEs) following its 2026 call for expressions of interest.
The selection follows a rigorous three-stage evaluation process conducted by IRDR's International Programme Office and Scientific Committee. The new ICoEs represent a diverse geographic and thematic expansion of the IRDR network, strengthening the programme's capacity to mobilise science for disaster risk reduction (DRR), resilience building, and sustainable development.
The Six New IRDR ICoEs
IRDR ICoE-PREPARE – Hosted by the Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest (UTCB) and a consortium of 14 partner institutions in Romania, the IRDR ICoE on Proactive Resilience and Emergency Preparedness for Adaptive Response and Efficiency (IRDR ICoE‑PREPARE) brings to the IRDR network a strategic regional anchor for Eastern Europe, with a €16.86 million grant over five years, expertise across multi‑hazard risks (earthquakes, floods, CBRN, forest fires), strong partnerships with the World Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and proven track record in policy‑relevant research, and clear strategic alignment with IRDR’s objectives.
IRDR ICoE-D4R – Hosted by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of Indonesia, the IRDR ICoE for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Research (IRDR ICoE-D4R) brings a strategic anchor for Southeast Asia and the ASEAN region, with structural long‑term stability through Indonesia's LPDP national endowment, expertise in tropical archipelago multi‑hazard research, and strong international collaborations with Japan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
IRDR ICoE for Next-Gen Disaster Intelligence and Resilience – Hosted by the Hydroinformatics Lab at Tulane University (USA), the IRDR ICoE for Next-Gen Disaster Intelligence and Resilience brings world‑leading expertise in AI‑native disaster intelligence, including the Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS) serving over 1,000 communities for 15 years, an innovative, self‑sustaining "Intelligence‑as‑a‑Service" funding model, and a clear vision for transforming disaster risk science through Digital Twins, Large Language Models, and immersive technologies.
IRDR ICoE-IHRR – Hosted by the Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction (IHRR) in Nepal, the IRDR ICoE on Interdisciplinary Research on Himalayan Risk and Resilience (IRDR ICoE-IHRR) brings exceptional expertise in citizen science and community‑based DRR, tangible early warning systems (drought, heat‑cold wave), and an explicit commitment to collaborate with the existing ICoE in Nepal (NSET) to avoid duplication.
IRDR ICoE-SAC-IDRR - A tripartite consortium comprising the National University of Science and Technology (Zimbabwe), the Human Sciences Research Council (South Africa), and the University of the Free State's Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (UFS-DiMTEC), the IRDR ICoE in Southern Africa Centre for Integrated Disaster Risk Research (IRDR ICoE-SAC-IDRR), brings a strategic regional anchor for Southern Africa, with complementary expertise across natural sciences, social sciences, health, and engineering, and established partnerships with the World Food Programme and other regional stakeholders.
IRDR ICoE-CDRSIR – Jointly hosted by Makerere University School of Public Health and Gulu University Faculty of Medicine in Uganda, the IRDR ICoE on Disaster Risk Science Innovation and Resilience (IRDR ICoE-CDRSIR) brings a unique public health focus to the IRDR network, addressing the intersection of epidemics, forced displacement, and health systems resilience in East Africa, with strong funding from NIH and the Wellcome Trust.
Strengthening the Global DRR Network
"We are truly excited to [welcome these six new ICoEs to the IRDR community and look forward to the valuable contributions [they] will bring to our collective mission," said Prof. Saini Yang, Executive Director of IRDR. "As an ICoE, [they] will play a vital role in fostering international collaboration, generating cutting-edge knowledge, and translating research into actionable solutions for reducing disaster risks worldwide. We are confident that their expertise and dedication will greatly enrich our network and help shape the future of DRR."
The new centres will contribute to IRDR's research priorities through transdisciplinary collaboration, capacity building, and science‑policy engagement, operating under self‑funded models with diversified funding strategies, thus ensuring long‑term sustainability.
IRDR warmly welcomes these six new ICoEs and is confident that their combined expertise and regional diversity will deliver meaningful, long-lasting contributions to the IRDR network and the wider DRR community.
