IRace is a newly established International Research Association, officially founded on May 9, 2025. Its mission is to bring together individuals — including academics, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, institutions, and associations — from diverse disciplines to advance the Circular Economy in a constructive and integrated way. The following key points highlight the rationale behind the establishment of IRace:
- The Circular Economy needs the full scientific engagement of intra-, cross-, multi-, inter-, and trans-disciplinary research teams for solving different critical issues
- The voice of the scientific research is at present not shaping significantly political decisions regarding Circular Economy whilst stakeholders’ groups are often more organized, vocal, and influential at both EU and national levels
- Interest in Circular Economy research extends beyond universities and traditional institutions to include any stakeholder or entity that bases its strategy on scientific principles
- The establishment of IRACE will significantly support the development and dissemination of high-quality Circular Economy research
- Membership in IRACE will be open to individuals and to national and international societies and associations representing various disciplines.
- IRACE is envisioned as a lean, agile, and low-cost organization, free from bureaucratic burdens and solely focused on the advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of Circular Economy
The idea of IRace has already received strong support, with 73 experts from 23 countries (Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Oman, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the UK), and representing 18 disciplines (including Agronomy, Architecture, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Ecology, Industrial Biotechnology, Geology, Law, Material Science, Medicine, Pharmacology, Physics, Political Science, Sociology, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Wastewater Engineering), endorsing its creation.
IRace does not intend to compete with existing associations. Instead, it seeks to act as a hub, complementing and enhancing their work by bringing in a strong multidisciplinary perspective.This vision is summarized graphically in the Figure. Notably, the European Public Health Alliance has already expressed its interest in joining IRACE.
