Deadline:
Apr 30, 2026About IRDR:
Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) is an international scientific programme co-sponsored by the International Science Council (ISC) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), and supported by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). The IRDR International Programme Office is hosted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. 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. The programme brings together the natural, socio-economic, health, and engineering sciences in a coordinated effort to reduce risks associated with natural and human-induced hazards, contributing to the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction through 2030 and beyond.
What Are IRDR International Centres of Excellence (ICoEs):
IRDR ICoEs are established through the IRDR Scientific Committee and relevant National Committees to provide regional and research foci for the IRDR programme. Each ICoE research programme embodies an integrated approach to disaster risk reduction that directly contributes to the IRDR Science Plan and its objectives. ICoEs collaborate with other IRDR projects to provide global contributions toward achieving IRDR's legacy.
The purpose of ICoEs is to facilitate regional scientific activities through geographically-focused contributions based on localised inputs. Serve as visible centres of research motivating participation in the IRDR programme. Support transdisciplinary research, capacity building, and policy support in advancing IRDR's mission. Act as hubs connecting national DRR research communities with the global IRDR network.
Current ICoE Network:
The existing global ICoE network includes institutions in New Zealand (Massey University — Joint Centre for Disaster Research), Colombia (National University of Colombia — Institute of Environmental Studies), South Africa (Stellenbosch University — Periperi U Consortium), Canada (Western University — Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction), Germany (University of Stuttgart — Institute for Spatial and Regional Planning), Japan (National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience), Malaysia (National University of Malaysia — SEADPRI), Hong Kong/Oxford (CCOUC — Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response), USA (University of South Carolina — Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute), and Greece (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens — Resilience Economics, newly designated 2026).
Notably, there is NO ICoE currently in South Asia — this represents a significant gap and opportunity for Nepal.
What This EOI Seeks:
IRDR invites Expressions of Interest from qualified institutions to become new International Centres of Excellence. The EOI must include a description of the organisation requesting ICoE designation — including basic organisational structure, key personnel, funding sources, scientific research capacity, and linkage with international disaster risk research networks. An overview of professional activities for past years, including past and ongoing programmes in disaster risk research. A plan for incorporating IRDR objectives into the institution's own mission and its implementation. Identification of funding and other support for ICoE activities.
Applicants must review the list and research foci of existing ICoEs on the IRDR website. Proposals that duplicate existing ICoEs' scope or names may not be considered.
Themes of Interest:
Based on IRDR's current priorities, relevant themes include climate impacts and disaster risk, risk governance and institutional frameworks, DRR financing and economics of resilience, Indigenous knowledge for DRR, systemic and cascading risk, coherence between DRR, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development, forensic investigation of disasters, hazard characterisation and vulnerability assessment, and public health dimensions of disaster risk.
Nepal Eligibility and Relevance:
Nepal is fully eligible — ICoEs are designated at institutions globally with no geographic restrictions. Nepal presents an exceptionally strong case for hosting an IRDR ICoE for multiple reasons.
Nepal's Disaster Risk Profile: Nepal is one of the world's most disaster-prone countries, ranked 4th globally for climate risk. Nepal experiences earthquakes (including the devastating 2015 Gorkha earthquake killing nearly 9,000 people), floods, landslides, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), droughts, and epidemics. Nepal's unique geography — from the Terai plains to the highest Himalayan peaks — creates diverse hazard exposure across a small geographic area. Climate change is accelerating glacier melt, changing precipitation patterns, and increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in Nepal.
No South Asia ICoE Exists: Currently, there is no IRDR International Centre of Excellence in South Asia — despite the region's enormous disaster risk exposure affecting nearly 2 billion people. A Nepal-based ICoE would fill a critical regional gap and serve as the South Asian hub for IRDR's global network.
Nepal's DRR Research Capacity: Nepal has several institutions with established disaster risk research capacity. Tribhuvan University — Institute of Engineering, Central Department of Environmental Science, and Central Department of Geography have active DRR research programmes. Kathmandu University — School of Science and School of Engineering with disaster research. National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) — one of South Asia's leading earthquake engineering and DRR organisations. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) — Kathmandu-based intergovernmental centre with extensive mountain hazard research. Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). Department of Mines and Geology — seismological monitoring. Department of Hydrology and Meteorology — flood and climate monitoring.
Nepal's Unique Research Contributions: Mountain hazards and GLOF research — Nepal is at the frontier of glacial lake outburst flood science and climate-related mountain hazards. Community-based disaster risk management — Nepal has pioneered CBDRM approaches that are studied and replicated globally. Post-earthquake recovery research — the 2015 earthquake generated extensive research on seismic resilience, reconstruction, and recovery. Indigenous and local knowledge for DRR — Nepal's diverse communities hold generations of environmental knowledge relevant to disaster risk management. Cascading and compound risks — Nepal's geography creates unique cascading hazard scenarios (earthquake triggering landslides blocking rivers causing floods).
Potential Nepal Host Institutions: Tribhuvan University — Institute of Engineering or Central Department of Environmental Science would have the broadest institutional capacity. NSET — as a dedicated DRR organisation with 30+ years of experience. Kathmandu University — with growing disaster research capability. A consortium approach — combining multiple Nepali institutions into a single ICoE could leverage complementary strengths (e.g., TU for academic research + NSET for applied DRR + ICIMOD for mountain hazards).
Also Open — IRDR Young Scientists Programme (7th Batch):
Separately, IRDR is also accepting applications for the 7th batch of its Young Scientists Programme — for early-career DRR researchers globally. Deadline: April 30, 2026. This provides Nepal's emerging DRR researchers with an opportunity to join IRDR's global network. Details at: https://irdrinternational.org/news/872
KEY DETAILS
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Coefficient Giving RFP: Grants for organisations providing high-impact career guidance, mentorship, talent matching. LMICs explicitly mentioned. Nepal relevant. Unrestricted funding. Deadline: April 20, 2026.
Deadline: Apr 30, 2026
Understanding Risk Global Forum 2026 (UR26) in Abu Dhabi invites session proposals on disaster risk management. World's largest DRR knowledge exchange. 1,500+ experts. Deadline extended: April 30, 2026.
