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Research Ireland
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general
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6ae0fca3e2e843e9834e26365dec1538
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https://www.ucd.ie/eacollege/newsandevents/researchireland-defenceinnovationchal...
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Research Ireland

Source: https://www.ucd.ie/eacollege/newsandevents/researchireland-defenceinnovationchallengewinnerandrunner-upannounced/ Parent: https://www.ucd.ie/eacollege/

News and Events

Research Ireland - Defence Innovation Challenge Winner and Runner-up announced

Wednesday, 25 February, 2026

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Pictured: Kate Robson Brown, Kevin Roche, Daniel McCrum & Helen McEntee

Over €1.8 million in prize phase funding has been announced under the co-funded Research Ireland - Defence Innovation Challenge. The national initiative aims to unlock the power of research to develop innovative solutions to enhance the capabilities of the Defence Forces at a time of increased global focus on defence readiness.

The Sea-Scan team, led by Professor Marco Ruffini and Dr John Kennedy, Trinity College Dublin and Defence Forces Liaison Cdr Cathal Power, was awarded prize funding under the Maritime Situational Awareness Challenge.

The MASH – Mobile Adaptable SHelter team, led by Dr Daniel McCrum, UCD School of Civil Engineering, and Dr Kevin Roche, UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and Defence Forces Liaison Capt. Dave McKenna, has been awarded runner-up funding.

The MASH team is developing a modular, rapidly deployable, multi-purpose shelter system for defence and humanitarian needs. Current deployable shelters used by the Irish Defence Forces are slow to erect and require large, specialised teams. The MASH team’s solution combines speed, safety, durability, and adaptability for global impact.

Today’s announcement builds upon the partnerships Research Ireland has developed between the research community, Defence Forces, Department of Defence and others. Announcing the awards, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, TD said, "I am delighted to announce the winning projects in the Research Ireland – Defence Innovation Challenge. These projects will harness artificial intelligence to deliver real‑time maritime awareness and will develop rapidly deployable, multi‑purpose shelter systems to support and enhance the operational needs of our Defence Forces. The prize‑winning projects demonstrate how cutting‑edge research can deliver practical, real‑world solutions that strengthen national security while driving technological innovation."

Challenge-based research funding encourages researchers to work directly with those most affected by the problems they seek to address, demonstrating the value and potential of collaborative research to address the challenges faced by Irish society as a whole.

Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee, TD said, "Innovation is critical to ensuring our Defence Forces have the tools they need to operate effectively in an increasingly complex environment. AI-driven technologies like Sea-Scan will significantly enhance maritime situational awareness, supporting the Naval Service in safeguarding our waters and responding swiftly to emerging challenges. This investment reflects our commitment to modernising defence capabilities and embracing innovative solutions for the future.”

Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, said, "Innovation and collaboration are central to ensuring Óglaigh na hÉireann can continue to fulfil our roles effectively in a rapidly evolving security environment. The Research Ireland - Defence Innovation Challenge demonstrates the value of a close partnership between Defence Forces personnel, researchers and innovators in developing practical, mission-focused solutions.

Projects such as Sea-Scan have the potential to significantly enhance the Naval Service's maritime situational awareness, supporting our ability to monitor, protect and respond within Ireland's maritime domain. Equally, the Mobile Adaptable SHelter project represents an important advancement in deployable infrastructure, offering flexible, rapidly deployable shelter solutions that can support Defence Forces operations at home and overseas, as well as humanitarian and emergency response tasks. I welcome this investment in capability development and commend the research teams for working closely with the Defence Forces subject-matter experts to deliver solutions that are operationally relevant and future-focused."

Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO, Research Ireland, said, "Challenge-based research funding encourages researchers to work directly with those most affected by the problems they seek to address. The teams being funded today have developed their solutions through close collaboration with Defence Forces personnel.

The Sea-Scan team is developing a high-quality solution to a complex problem that will deliver a transformational capability for the Irish Defence Forces. The MASH team has developed an impressive and innovative solution that balances speed and quality, offering a structure that can be assembled quickly without complex tools. I congratulate both teams and look forward to seeing them deliver their solutions to issues which are of critical national importance.”

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