International Joint Initiative for Research Harnessing Disruptive Technologies to Address Global Challenges

This international research initiative aims to harness the potential of disruptive technologies to develop new solutions to global challenges and contribute to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Projects must address at least one of the 17 SDGs. Research in disruptive technologies to address global challenges requires an interdisciplinary approach involving collaboration across fields such as natural sciences, engineering, health sciences, social sciences, and humanities. At the same time, cross-sectoral collaboration—including universities, public authorities, civil society, local communities, and private companies—can strengthen opportunities for research to be translated into practice and create societal impact. Disruptive technology is understood as innovations that can replace or significantly change existing systems, processes, or ways of acting—thereby creating significant economic or societal changes. The effect can be local or have broader impact. It can be completely new technologies or known technologies applied in new contexts that lead to fundamental changes.