Co-Centre Programme

The Co-Centre Programme is a new strategic collaborative partnership between Ireland, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, co-funded by industry, which will consolidate research activities across higher education and research institutes in co-hosted Centres.

The programme will support large-scale, virtual Centres with the aim of strengthening the research and innovation base within Ireland, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, building strategic partnerships across these regions to support a competitive economy and addressing societal and environmental challenges.

Co-Centre Thematic Areas

Two Co-Centres were commissioned under the Co-Centres Programme which commenced in January 2024. This brings forward a commitment made in the New Decade, New Approach agreement to establish virtual research centres across the island of Ireland and with Great Britain.

Co-Centre For Climate+Biodiversity+Water

Climate change has presented an unprecedented need for innovative approaches to address climate emergencies and rapid degradation of the natural environment (air, water, soil and biodiversity).

The Climate+Biodiversity+Water Co-Centre is a €43 million programme intended to address knowledge gaps in our understanding of climate change, biodiversity and water with a focus on achieving Net Zero and Just Transition, reversing biodiversity loss and ensuring water quality is high.

More information can be found at the Co-Centre website here

Co-Centre For Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems 

A sustainable food system delivers food security and nutrition for all in such a way that the economic, social and environmental bases to generate food security and nutrition for future generations are not compromised. 

Food systems need to become more sustainable with respect to environmental, economic and social aspects on a global platform. Research and innovation are needed to help deliver a food system that supports animal welfare, a healthy planet, including a climate neutral agricultural sector resilient to external shocks.

The Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems is a €35M programme designed to transform and bolster reliability within the existing food system on the Island of Ireland. The research conducted within will address sustainability, economic, social and environmental issues to ensure safe nutritious food is available to transition to healthy diets from sustainable sources.

More information can be found at the Co-Centre website here

DAERA has committed to fund up to £17m for the Co-Centre Programme with Research Ireland (RI) and UKRI committing up to £34m and £12m respectively over six years. There are also industry co-funders associated with the research projects.