First Innovate for Ireland National Centre launched – ‘Decarb-AI’

18th March 2026 | The first Innovate for Ireland national centre, ‘Decarb-AI: AI-Powered Pathways to Climate Resilience’ has been announced today. Created in partnership with AIB and Research Ireland, the €5.7m Decarb-AI national centre will aim to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate Ireland’s transition to a climate-resilient, low-carbon future.

Decarb-AI will welcome 30 iScholars across three intakes. Eight iScholars – from China, Ghana, India, UK, France, Ireland and Kenya – have already commenced their research. All of these iScholars will undertake fully-funded, four-year PhDs under the supervision of leading academic researchers from Irish higher education  institutions, which are:  University College Dublin (lead institution), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, Technological University Dublin, University of Limerick, University of Galway (via the Irish Centre for High-End Computing – ICHEC), and University College Cork. The iScholars’ research at Decarb-AI research centre will focus on using cutting-edge AI to advance climate mitigation and adaptation across Ireland, with key focus areas including:

• AI-optimised renewable energy systems and datacentre sustainability
• Machine learning for water quality forecasting and peatland restoration
• Earth-observation and biodiversity modelling for land-use policy
• AI-supported sustainable finance tools for SMEs
• Transparent AI decision-support systems for real-time decarbonisation planning

The launch of Decarb-AI is a major milestone for the Innovate for Ireland programme. It follows on from the programme’s successful launch in early 2025, which saw the recruitment of the first cohort of 11 iScholars working in a variety of research disciplines. iScholars are outstanding researchers with entrepreneurial qualities and a passion for sustainability. 

Yvonne McCarthy , Head of Sustainability Research, AIB, commented: “Tackling climate change requires both ambition and innovation. AIB is proud to partner with Innovate for Ireland on Decarb-AI, an initiative that brings world-leading researchers together to accelerate Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon economy. By supporting the development of AI-driven tools for energy and sustainable finance, we’re helping to unlock some of the solutions that will ensure that businesses and communities can make meaningful progress on decarbonisation that allows them to thrive.”

Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO Research Ireland, commented: “By combining advanced AI research with real-world climate challenges, Decarb-AI has the potential to generate solutions that are both scientifically rigorous and nationally impactful. This initiative will train the next generation of interdisciplinary leaders and strengthen Ireland’s credentials in climate research innovation.”

Andrew Parnell, Lead PI and Professor of Data Science for Weather and Climate at University College Dublin, commented “AI is the catalyst required to solve the multi-objective problems inherent in climate resilience. Through Decarb-AI, we are fostering a research environment where advanced data science meets urgent environmental necessity through our new iScholars. Our focus is on creating scalable, academically rigorous, and industry-ready outputs ranging from peatland restoration to sustainable finance. We must ensure that Ireland remains at the global forefront of excellence in AI and sustainability.”

Dr Simon Boucher, Chief Executive, Global Innovators Ireland, commented: “The opening of the Decarb-AI national centre is an important step towards realising the Innovate for Ireland vision of establishing Ireland as a world-leading hub for sustainability innovation and helping to address the world’s most pressing challenges.”

Applications for a second cohort of researchers to Decarb-AI will be invited from ambitious candidates with backgrounds in AI, data science, engineering, environmental science, ecology, geography, finance, and related fields who want to build high-impact AI solutions for climate resilience.

ENDS

About the Innovate for Ireland Initiative

A partnership between the Irish Government and the private sector, Innovate for Ireland takes a progressive approach to PhD training by attracting, developing, and retaining cohorts of world-class doctoral students in higher-education institutions across the island of Ireland. These students – known as iScholars – conduct research aligned with prioritised national themes, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation while developing entrepreneurial leadership to solve the world’s most pressing challenges.

About AIB

AIB is a financial services group operating predominantly in Ireland and the United Kingdon.  We provide a range of services to personal, business and corporate customers, with market-leading positions in key segments in our domestic market. With 3.4 million customers, our purpose is empowering people to build a sustainable future. 

About Research Ireland

Research Ireland is the national competitive research and innovation funding agency, amalgamating the activities and functions of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Irish Research Council (IRC). www.researchireland.ie

About Global Innovators Ireland

Global Innovators Ireland is a not-for-profit organisation established by the founder of Innovate for Ireland. Global Innovators Ireland exists to ensure that Innovate for Ireland delivers on the full scale of its vision of establishing Ireland as a world-leading hub for sustainability innovation. As a steward of this national ambition, we play a pivotal role in building the collaborative momentum necessary to bring together public, private, academic, and philanthropic partners and turn its vision into reality. We provide essential expertise, infrastructure and oversight to support Innovate for Ireland. We act as the voice of and interface for the private sector and drive operational delivery that ensures lasting impact. Learn more here: www.innovateforireland.com 

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