Research Ireland – Defence Innovation Challenge

This programme aims to support research projects that address existing and emerging defence challenges in Ireland. Deadline: 29th October 2026, 13:00 (Irish Local Time) Duration: Up to 13 months Career stage: Early Career Investigator Led, Established Investigator Led, Mid Career Investigator Led Programme type: Challenge Eligibility: The Research Ireland-Defence Innovation Challenge is intended to support interdisciplinary and collaborative research teams, committed to developing transformative and sustainable solutions aligned with the challenge areas outlined in the Call Document. Applications to the programme will be accepted from applicant teams comprising two researchers who are either members of academic staff or contract researchers at an Eligible Research Body and hold a PhD. Further details on eligibility criteria are available in the Call Document. Applications to the Research Ireland-Defence Innovation Challenge must identify a core applicant/leadership team comprising: • Team Lead (Lead Applicant) will have responsibility for managing the activities of the team, will provide research leadership and have overall responsibility for delivery of research programme objectives. • Team Co-Lead (Co-lead Applicant) will provide leadership as part of the research programme and should bring complementary technical/disciplinary expertise to that of the Team Lead. Following successful application, a Defence Liaison from a branch of the Defence Forces will be assigned to work with the team lead and co-lead. The Defence Liaison will be integral to the team and will work as part of the team to provide insights as well as organisational, operational or mission context to support the team in understanding and validating problems, and the development of a solution. Successful teams will have an opportunity to build a broader challenge team as the development of their solution(s) require.