Collaboration is at the heart of our research mission. We work across disciplines, borders, and sectors to address pressing challenges and generate real-world impact. UCD has forged deep, long-term alliances with leading universities and research organisations across the world, driving research and innovation in key areas including health and life sciences and sustainability, fostering collaboration through joint funding programmes, developing the global talent pipeline through exchange and fellowships.
UCD has various institutional agreements with several leading universities around the world, to amplify our collective strengths and expand our collective reach and impact in the areas that matter globally.
Long-standing formal partnership with UC Davis (USA), which was strengthened in 2025 with an Agreement of Cooperation called the 'UCD Squared' partnership.
Trans-Atlantic partnership with Northeastern University (USA) forged through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) around research collaboration focused on key global challenges in healthcare.
Cross-border partnership with Queen’s University Belfast (UK) via MoU, particularly advancing cancer research through the All-Island Cancer Consortium.
Newly created alliance with University of Liverpool (UK) through an MoU and joint seed fund to foster collaboration in the humanities, AI, engineering and health.
Strategic partnership with University of Edinburgh (UK) through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for student and faculty exchange, specifically around One Health.
UCD Research and Innovation has expert teams who work to build a collaborative ecosystem between research and industry.
The Research Partners team, lead by Dr Kate Johnston, advise and support academic leaders in the development of major research and innovation clusters. The team has extensive experience building and leading research alliances across diverse sectors, particularly establishing translational research environments, digital and data-enabled infrastructure, and partnerships linking academia, government and industry.
UCD is a leader in university innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting Irish and European industrial competitiveness, knowledge transfer, commercialisation and start-up support. Find more about how our dedicated teams can enable industry through access to research, partnerships and accelerator programmes.
Visit ucd.ie/innovation