RCF winter call results: Academy Research Fellowships and Academy Projects in social sciences and humanities decided

The Research Council of Finland’s (RCF) Scientific Council for Social Sciences and Humanities has decided on funding for 35 new Academy Research Fellows and 48 new Academy Projects, which involve a total of 71 subprojects.

The total funding comes to around 23 million euros for Academy Research Fellowships and around 36 million euros for Academy Projects. The funding is granted to the host research organisations, which hire the research personnel and manage the use of the funding. The Research Council of Finland monitors the impact of funded research.

The Scientific Council for Social Sciences and Humanities provides funding for excellent, high-impact and innovative research and promotes open science and research. The total number of applications submitted to the Scientific Council increased from last year, particularly in the case of applications for Academy Research Fellowships. The applications were of high scientific quality and characterised by methodological diversity, problem-oriented approaches and a focus on societal challenges. The applications also highlighted extensive international cooperation. For the Scientific Council for Social Sciences and Humanities, the applicant success rate was around 10 per cent for Academy Research Fellowships and 12 per cent for Academy Projects.

The funding decisions cover the entire scientific scope of social sciences and humanities research. Applications submitted to the Scientific Council were reviewed in 20 panels. Many of the review panels in these fields were multidisciplinary, and this multidisciplinarity was also reflected in many of the applications selected for funding.

According to the chair of the Scientific Council, Professor Aini Linjakumpu, particularly noteworthy in the applications was that they addressed current issues. The scientific disciplines in the Scientific Council’s domain play a significant role in tackling societal challenges. At the same time, the Scientific Council also considers it important to support fundamental research in the humanities and social sciences.

Academy Research Fellowships

The RCF’s Academy Research Fellowship funding is intended for early-career researchers on a fast career track who have formed international networks and who are conducting scientifically high-quality and high-impact research that contributes to scientific renewal. The Scientific Council made the Academy Research Fellowship decisions taking into account the diversity of methods and the promotion of international cooperation.

The funding can be used flexibly according to the research needs, for example for the researcher’s own salary, to hire a research team and to cover other research costs.

Academy Project Funding

Academy Project Funding is designed to promote the quality of research, scientific impact as well as scientific renewal and diversity. In deciding on Academy Project Funding, the Scientific Council paid special attention to scientific renewal. The funding supports regeneration and strengthens future research competencies, including through additional funding for doctoral education. The RCF had earmarked an additional 43 million euros to strengthen doctoral education in Academy Projects.

In the Academy Project decisions taken by the Scientific Council for Social Sciences and Humanities, funding for doctoral education almost increased compared to previous years, reaching 9 million euros. The Scientific Council would like to see more high-quality applications with research plans where doctoral candidates are an integral part of the research teams. The funding for doctoral education and training strengthens high-level competence in line with the RCF’s strategy.