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%% THIS IS THE LaTeX RESEARCH UTILISATION PLAN TEMPLATE OF THE RESEARCH COUNCIL OF FINLAND FOR THE 2026 PROOF OF CONCEPT CALL
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%% THE STYLE AND HEADERS HAVE BEEN PRESET ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH COUNCIL'S RULES. THE RESULTING PDF FILE OF THE RESEARCH UTILISATION PLAN WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY CHECKED WHEN UPLOADING IT. THE APPLICATION CANNOT BE SUBMITTED IF THE SYSTEM DETECTS AN DEVIATION IN THE HEADINGS, THE PAGE CONFIGURATION OR THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR RESEARCH UTILISATION PLAN PDF FILE. 
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%% N.B. YOU MAY ALSO ADD YOUR OWN LaTeX PACKAGES HERE. NOTE THAT THE PACKAGES CANNOT BE IN CONFLICT WITH OR OVERRUN THE TEMPLATE SETTINGS SET BY THE RESEARCH COUNCIL OF FINLAND. 
 
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% RESEARCH COUNCIL SETTINGS: DO NOT ALTER THESE SETTINGS! 
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\newcommand{\instructions}[1]{\textcolor{blue}{#1}}

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\begin{document}

%% GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE RESEARCH UTILISATION PLAN. 
%% Please compile before starting for the instructions to be visible in the pdf file.
%% The instructions environments should be deleted when preparing your text. 

\instructions{
\textbf{\Large{2026 Proof of Concept Funding \\ Guidelines and template for research utilisation plan}}\\
\vspace{10pt}
The research utilisation plan is submitted as a PDF appendix on the tab ‘Research utilisation plan’ in the online services. Remember to convert the file into PDF  format before attaching it in the application form. Name the attachment file as follows: \textbf{PoC\_plan\_yoursurname.pdf}. \\
\vspace{10pt}
%
Read the \href{https://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/apply-for-funding/calls-for-applications/}{call text} carefully and familiarise yourself with the \href{https://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/peer-review-and-funding-decision/guides-for-reviewers/}{review guidelines, review form and principle of responsible evaluation} before you start writing the plan.
%
\begin{itemize}
    \item The maximum length of the research utilisation plan is 8 pages.
    \item The maximum length of the consortium research utilisation plan is 9 pages.
    \item The paper size is A4.
    \item The font is Calibri/Carlito 12 pt.
    \item The line spacing is 1.
    \item The margins are 20 mm.
    \item The text is left-aligned.
    \item Do not use paragraph indents.
    \item The font size in tables and images must be at least 10 pt.
    \item Use a single-column layout when writing the text.
    \item The list of references is included in the length of the research utilisation plan. The font size in the list is 10 pt.
    \item All references must be added directly into the text, for example as follows: (author(s), year) or [number]. You must not use footnotes.
    \item The maximum size of the PDF appendix is 50 MB.
\end{itemize}
%
\textbf{The instructions and structure provided must be followed} to ensure the equal treatment of applicants. Use the headings provided. The application cannot be submitted if the system detects an deviation in the headings, the page configuration or the structure.
%
\begin{itemize}
    \item Write the research utilisation plan on this template.
    \item Fill in the sections according to the practices of your own discipline.
    \item You cannot edit or delete the headings in the template. If necessary, you may add subheadings.
    \item See the \href{https://www.aka.fi/en/online-services/}{How-to guides for the online services} on our website for the technical instructions. 
\end{itemize}
%
Please, delete this instructions environment when preparing your text. 
\noindent\rule[0.5ex]{\linewidth}{1pt}
}

%% >>>>>>>>>> ADD YOUR RESEARCH PLAN TITLE IN THE FIELD BELOW:
\textbf{\LARGE{Write here: Title of research utilisation plan}}\\

%% >>>>>>>>>> ADD YOUR NAME AND THE ABBREVIATION OF CONSORTIUM IF APPLICABLE:
Write here: Applicant's name (and abbreviation of consortium)

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\section{Background and significance} 
	
\instructions{
In this section, describe the following aspects:
%
	\begin{itemize}
       	\item {Problem:}
        	\begin{itemize}
            		\item Describe the problem to be addressed in the project and how the project will utilise the research results described in section ‘Research results utilised in the project’ to address it. The ‘Research results utilised in the project’ section is part of the application in the online services.
            		\item Please note that the research utilisation plan should focus on describing the utilisation of the research, not the research results as such.
       	\end{itemize}
		\item {State of the art and own contribution:}
       	\begin{itemize}
       		\item Describe the project’s contribution in the national or international context (e.g. market analysis or similar ongoing or completed projects).
        		\item Describe what is innovative in the project.
        		\item Describe the patent landscape if relevant in your field.
       	\end{itemize}
       	\item {Brief justification for the selection of national strategic choices:}
       	\begin{itemize}
			\item Briefly describe how the project contributes within/to the strategic choices selected from the drop-down menu on tab 4 in the online services. NB! Impact is addressed in detail in section 2 of the research utilisation plan.  
       	\end{itemize}
	\end{itemize}
Delete this instructions environment when preparing your text. \\ \vspace{6pt}
}	
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\section{Impact}

\instructions{
In this section, describe the following aspects:
    \begin{itemize}
    		\item {Utilisation path:}
    		\begin{itemize}
            		\item Describe the utilisation path of the research results and which part of that path the project will address.
            		\item \href{https://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply-for-funding/az-index-of-application-guidelines/rcf-proof-of-concept-funding-poc/}{See the instructions on how to describe the utilisation path.}
       		\end{itemize}
        	\item{Expected effects and impact:}
        	\begin{itemize}
        		\item Describe the long-term economic or other societal impact the project anticipates and the short-term effects it will produce.
			\item Describe the plan to secure post-project sustainability.
        	\end{itemize}
    	\end{itemize}
Delete this instructions environment when preparing your text. \\ \vspace{6pt}
}	
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 \section{Implementation}

\instructions{
In this section, describe the following aspects:
    \begin{itemize}
    		\item {\textbf{Work plan and schedule:}}
        	\begin{itemize}
           		\item Describe the methods and activities for utilising research results, and their implementation and innovativeness
			\item Schedule for project implementation, incl. research tasks and work packages, distribution of personnel resources, and project milestones and deliverables
        	\end{itemize}
%%%
        	\item{\textbf{Collaborators and users:}}
        	\begin{itemize}
           		\item Describe the collaborative networks, the user networks and groups, and the stakeholders.
			\item If relevant to your field, describe the role of and interaction with regulatory authorities that affect your project implementation.
			\item Describe and justify the novelty value and innovativeness of the planned cooperation (e.g. participatory and co-creation methods).
        	\end{itemize}
 %%%
         	\item {\textbf{Monitoring:}}
        	\begin{itemize}
            		\item Describe how the expected short- and long-term effects and impact will be monitored (e.g. milestones, deliverables, indicators for monitoring progress).
			\item \href{https://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply-for-funding/az-index-of-application-guidelines/rcf-proof-of-concept-funding-poc/}{See the instructions on how to describe the monitoring.}
        	\end{itemize}
%%%
        	\item {\textbf{Risk assessment:}}
        	\begin{itemize}
            		\item Describe the critical points for success, the probability of risks, means by which the risks can be managed and alternative implementation strategies.
			\item Describe possible regulatory requirements to be managed.
        	\end{itemize}
%%%
        	\item {\textbf{Project personnel and their project-relevant key merits:}}
        	\begin{itemize}
           		\item Task and role of principal investigator PI (applicant) in the project
			\item Tasks and roles of persons working on the project
			\item Training and skills development of persons working on the project
			\item Describe the responsibilities and key project-relevant competencies of project participants (incl. researchers, impact actors and external collaborators).
       		\end{itemize}
    		\item {\textbf{Added value of consortium (applies to consortium applications only)}}
%%%
    		\item {\textbf{Resources:}}
    		\begin{itemize}
        		\item Describe the project costs, including staff salaries and services and costs related to, for instance, stakeholder engagement, market or patent surveys, experiments and pilots, or commercialisation preparations.
    		\end{itemize}
	\end{itemize}
 Delete this instructions environment when preparing your text. \\ \vspace{6pt}
}	
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\section*{Responsible science}

\instructions{
%
This subsection is a mandatory part of the plan. All listed points must be fully addressed, as each constitutes a factor in the review and decision-making process. Furthermore, please note that applications will not be processed if any one of the following four elements is missing:
	\begin{enumerate}
		\item a description of dimensions related to gender equality and nondiscrimination in the project, or a justification if not relevant
		\item a description of how equality and nondiscrimination will be promoted in the composition of the team and collaborations
		\item a description of how good scientific practice will be followed in the project
		\item a description of how open access to research publications and research data will be ensured.
	\end{enumerate}
\href{https://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply-for-funding/az-index-of-application-guidelines/responsible-science/}{Read more about responsible science.}
	\begin{itemize}
		\item State whether dimensions related to gender equality and nondiscrimination are relevant to the proposed research
	\begin{itemize}
		\item If relevant, explain how these aspects are integrated into the research utilisation plan (e.g. concerning project’s objectives, user groups, methodology, analysis and dissemination).
		\item If not relevant, justify their non-applicability.
	\end{itemize}
	\item Describe how equality and nondiscrimination will be promoted in the composition of the team and collaborations.
	\item Describe how good scientific practice will be followed in the project.
	\begin{itemize}	
		\item Describe the responsible science issues related to the project, such as social responsibility, ethical issues related to working with user groups and collaborators, methods and materials, and research permits. 
		\item Describe the ownership of intellectual property and how it will be protected.
	\end{itemize}	
	\item Explain how open access to research publications and research data will be ensured.
	\item Consideration of sustainable development goals in project activities
\end{itemize}
Delete this instructions environment when preparing your text. \\ \vspace{6pt}
}
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%%%--------------------------------------------------
%%%% REFERENCES %%%%
%The list of references is included in the length of the research plan. All references must be added directly into the text, for example as follows: (author(s), year) or [number]. You must not use footnotes. The list of references can be added manually or, for example, by using BibTeX.

\renewcommand\refname{References}

\begin{thebibliography}{5}
\setlength{\parskip}{-6pt}
% font size of references is 10 pt
\footnotesize

\bibitem{ref1}
	\instructions{The list of references is included in the length of the research utilisation plan. All references must be added directly into the text, for example as follows: (author(s), year) or [number]. You must not use footnotes. The list of references can be added manually or, for example, by using BibTeX. \\ \vspace{10pt}
Delete this instructions environment when preparing your text. \\ \vspace{10pt}}
List the references here...

\end{thebibliography}

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