2026 winter call: Academy Project Funding

Guidelines and template for research plan

The research plan is submitted as a PDF appendix on the tab ‘Research plan’ in the online services. Remember to convert the Word file into PDF format (Save as -> .pdf) before attaching it in the application form. Name the attachment file as follows: Research_plan_yoursurname.pdf.

Read the call text carefully and familiarise yourself with the review guidelines, review form and principle of responsible evaluation before you start writing the plan.

The maximum length of the research plan is 12 pages.

The maximum length of a consortium research plan is 15 pages.

The paper size is A4.

The font is Calibri/Carlito 12 pt.

The line spacing is 1.

The margins are 20 mm.

The text is left-aligned.

Do not use paragraph indents.

The font size in tables and figures must be at least 10 pt.

Use a single-column layout when writing the text.

The list of references is included in the length of the research plan. The font size in the list is 10 pt.

All references must be added directly into the text, for example as follows: (author(s), year) or [number]. You must not use footnotes.

The maximum size of the PDF appendix is 50 MB.

The instructions, structure and layout provided must be followed to ensure the equal treatment of applicants. Use the headings provided. The application cannot be submitted if the system detects a deviation in the headings, page configuration or structure.

Write the research plan on this template.

Fill in the sections according to the practices of your own discipline.

You cannot edit or delete the headings in the template. If necessary, you may add subheadings.

See the How-to guides for the online services on our website for the technical instructions.

Please delete the instructions in blue before attaching the research plan in the online services.

Click and write here: Title of research plan

Click and write here: Applicant’s name (and abbreviation of consortium)

Background and significance

In this section, describe the following aspects:

Significance of research project in relation to current knowledge, research-based starting points

How the project and the methods used are linked to previous international and/or national research (state of the art)

Research premise, aims and objectives

Research questions and/or hypotheses

Insert your text here...

Impact

In this section, describe the following aspects:

Outcomes and impacts of research within academia

Expected research results and their anticipated scientific impact

Project’s novelty or added value for science

Potential for scientific breakthroughs and for promoting scientific renewal

Research impact within scientific community

Effects, impact and interaction beyond academia

Brief description of appeal, utilisation potential and application areas of research results beyond scientific community

For instance, provide a self-assessment of the expected societal impact of the research in the long or short term. Impact beyond academia may come in many different forms depending on the research field and the project. For example, science is a source of wealth and prosperity, but it also improves our understanding of the world and enhances the level of civilisation, supports the development of good practices and informs decision-making.

Read more about the broader impact of research.

Insert your text here...

Implementation

In this section, describe the following aspects:

Work plan and schedule

Detailed description of research to be performed, starting from objectives, scientific references and preliminary data (if available)

Description of research tasks, their implementation and interconnections

If necessary, description of responsibilities and management related to these tasks

Schedule for project implementation, incl. research tasks and work packages, distribution of personnel resources, and project milestones and deliverables

Research data and material, methods and research environment

Research data to be used, justifications and information on data collection or acquisition, data analyses and use of data, taking into account issues such as intellectual property rights

Research methods and how they will contribute to answering the research questions or confirming the hypotheses, or how they will support the chosen approach

Description of local, national and/or international research environment including research infrastructures. Enter the infrastructures to be used also on the tab ‘Affiliations’ in the online services.

Risk assessment and alternative implementation strategies

Critical points for success, probability of risks, means by which risks can be managed, and alternative implementation strategies

Project personnel and their project-relevant key merits

Task and role of principal investigator PI (applicant) in project

Tasks and roles of persons working on project and their key merits

Names and/or level of education of project’s researchers (if known)

If a consortium application: scientific added value of consortium for attainment of research objectives compared to traditional forms of research collaboration. Read more in the consortium application guidelines.

Project’s links to previous research by PI or research team

How researcher training will be organised and research careers promoted

Collaborators

National and international collaborators of key significance to project implementation as well as their roles

Justifications for the collaborators, description of what is achieved through the collaboration

Responsible science

State whether dimensions related to gender equality and nondiscrimination are relevant to the proposed research.

If relevant, explain how these aspects are integrated into the research plan (e.g. concerning project’s objectives, methodology, analysis and dissemination).

If not relevant, justify their non-applicability.

Describe how equality and nondiscrimination will be promoted in the composition of the research group.

Describe how research ethics will be addressed in the project.

Explain how open access to research publications and research data will be ensured.

Consideration of sustainable development goals in project activities

Read more about responsible science.

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References

The list of references is included in the length of the research plan. The font size in the list is 10 pt. All references must be added directly into the text, for example as follows: (author(s), year) or [number]. You must not use footnotes.

List the references here...