Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister James Lawless announce the next phase of the Research Ireland-Defence Innovation Challenge programme

Five cutting-edge Irish research teams have successfully progressed to the Seed Phase of the Research Ireland - Defence Innovation Challenge, a national initiative aimed at developing innovative solutions to enhance the capabilities of the Defence Forces and deliver benefits to wider society.

The UCD projects are:

• The Advanced Shelter Concepts Challenge: developing modular, multipurpose shelter structure systems.
  Dr Daniel McCrum, UCD School of Civil Engineering and co-lead Dr Elizabeth Shotton, UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy: MASH – Mobile Adaptable SHelter.
• The Aeromedical Emergency Dispatch Challenge: developing solutions that support rapid, reliable dispatch decisions for aeromedical services and enable intelligent monitoring to support situational adaptiveness.
  Dr Mohammadjavad Zeinali and co-lead Dr Pezhman Ghadimi, UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: ADMS – Aeromedical Dispatch Management Software – A Technology Hub.
• Disruptive Ideas – exploring disruptive/radical defence technologies.
  Dr Silas O’Toole and co-lead Prof. Dominic Zerulla, UCD School of Physics: Advanced Imaging Technologies through Electronically Tuneable Lenses.

The teams, selected through a competitive evaluation process, will receive Seed Phase funding to further develop and validate their concepts across a range of mission-critical areas, from search and rescue, maritime situational awareness, and aeromedical emergency dispatch to advanced shelter systems and disruptive imaging technologies.

Announcing the funding, Tánaiste Simon Harris said: “This initiative represents a significant step in aligning national research excellence with the operational needs of our Defence Forces. “The five excellent projects that we are supporting through this funding will make a really positive difference, both in the area of difference but also across wider society.”

Minister James Lawless commented: “As the Research Ireland - Defence Innovation Challenge programme progresses to the Seed Phase, we are seeing clear momentum and deepened collaboration between our research institutions and the Defence Forces. The projects selected today reflect high-potential solutions to real-world challenges, from aeromedical decision-making to maritime situational awareness, and their continued development is vital for ensuring our Defence Forces are equipped with the tools and technologies they need to operate effectively in an increasingly complex global environment. I commend these five teams and look forward to seeing the innovative outcomes their work will deliver.”

Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, said: “Óglaigh na hÉireann continues to support the Research Ireland Defence Innovation Challenge. There will be closer collaboration with military subject matter experts as the teams field test their solutions across multiple domains in Land, Sea and Air.

“This will evaluate the solutions and ensure that they are fit for purpose and that they can positively enhance capability. The Defence Research, Technology and Innovation Office coordinates the programme with Research Ireland and continues to support research teams and connect them with the relevant military subject matter experts during this stage.”

Celine Fitzgerald, Interim CEO, Research Ireland, said: “Moving to the Seed Phase is a key milestone for the Research Ireland - Defence Innovation Challenge programme. It signals the potential of these projects to deliver real impact and generate wider societal benefits. Through close engagement with Defence Forces personnel, the research teams are now entering a more targeted phase of development, where solutions are shaped by user insight and national need. We’re excited to support the teams as they take the next steps in their development process.”