The International Research Agenda is a research plan that defines a challenge (problem) of a scientific or socio-economic nature (contained within the National Smart Specialisations framework) as well as the working method and approach to dealing with the challenge, and that provides a substantial basis for the establishment of a research centre.

In addition to the precisely defined research problem, the research agenda should be characterised by an innovative and competitive approach to solving it, which should guarantee the IRAP centre the position of a global leader.