Research programmes being prepared
Preparation of Academy-funded research programmes involves planning of programme contents and defining the programme objectives and themes. During the preparatory stage, the Academy works in close contact with the research community and other stakeholder groups and seeks potential national as well as international funding partners.
Research programmes are often initiated as a joint effort between several Research Councils and other national and international funding agencies. The preparation of a research programme is a long-term process. The planning documents of the Academy and the Research Councils also take into account the research programmes scheduled for the coming years. Nevertheless, the Academy is, if needed, able to react promptly to topical research programme initiatives.
When submitting their proposals to the Academy Board for future research programmes, Research Councils also describe the research programme initiatives for which they apply for negotiation authority. The Board grants the negotiation authority for preparing research programmes in cooperation with other funding agencies, if it finds the initiatives promising.
A research programme will be launched, provided that the preparation and cooperation with other funding agencies goes according to plan and the Research Council or Research Councils so proposes. It is possible that the Board will decide not to launch a programme, if the programme preparation does not proceed or the Research Councils do not support the theme of the research programme. Thus, granted negotiation authority does not always automatically mean that a research programme will be launched.