Consortia shortlisted for second stage of SRC call on just green transition

The Strategic Research Council (SRC) established within the Academy of Finland decided on 13 March 2023 to invite 29 consortia to the second stage of the SRC programme call. Approximately 47 per cent of submitted letters of intent were invited to the second stage of the two-stage call. The selections were made based on the proposed projects’ match with the programme themes and objectives and the projects’ scientific quality, societal relevance and impact.

The SRC call included two new programmes that attracted a total of 61 letters of intent. The applicants included researchers from 60 organisations and 74 research fields.

The SRC programme Energy Solutions as Part of a Just Green Transition (JUST ENERGY) attracted 21 letters of intent, of which 13 were shortlisted. The SRC programme Societal Solutions in a Just Green Transition (JUST TRANSITION) attracted 40 letters of intent, of which 16 were shortlisted.

Panels composed of international and Finnish expert reviewers assessed the projects’ match with the programmes, their scientific quality and societal impact. There were separate review panels for the two programmes. The panels drew up a written review report on each application. The review reports have been delivered to the applicants.

Approaching just green transition from two perspectives

The green transition and how to achieve it in a just manner are very topical issues. There is a great need for research-based solutions to ensure the transition. The six-year SRC programmes to be launched at the end of 2023 will focus on this theme from two different perspectives.

The SRC programme Energy Solutions as Part of a Just Green Transition (JUST ENERGY) will focus on developing the energy system in a changing operational setting. The second SRC programme, Societal Solutions in a Just Green Transition (JUST TRANSITION), focuses on societal solutions essential for the green transition from the perspective of different institutions and actors. Of particular interest in the research to be conducted in the programme are structures and practices that support or prevent a just green transition in different sectors of society and in the everyday lives of people and communities.

The full applications will be reviewed in two different panels in each programme. One panel will focus on scientific quality, the other on societal impact. The SRC will decide in September on the projects to be included in the programmes.

The SRC will also provide funding for the programmes’ part-time programme directors, who will be tasked with supporting the formation of the programme package and promoting cross-programme scientific and societal impact. More information about the call for programme directors will be published in late March on the strategic research website. The call will open in early April.