The Research Council of Finland’s (RCF) winter call is set to open in early November (expected call dates 13.11.2024-8.1.2025), and the preparations for it should start as soon as possible. This year, the RCF has four different possibilities for applicants to choose from. However, each applicant can only submit a single application as the Principal Investigator (PI), and therefore it is important to choose the right one!
The Academy Project is open to all fields of science and can be applied by individual research teams or by a consortium. The PI must have a doctorate and other significant merits (e.g. professor, docent, adjunct professor). Projects last for four years and funding is provided for research team salaries and other research costs including travel and international mobility.
The Academy Research Fellowship is aimed at talented early-career researchers whose doctoral certificate is awarded between 1 Jan 2018 – 31 Jan 2023. The purpose is to increase the fellow’s competencies and make significant career progress towards more demanding research position producing high-quality and high-impact research. The Fellowship lasts 4 years and funding is provided for the fellow’s own salary, research team salaries and other research costs.
The Academy Programme for Sport Science and Physical Activity aims to advance the quality, renewal and impact of research on physical activity and sports. This three-year project provides funding for research team salaries and other direct research costs.
The Academy Professor funding is opened again after some years and applications are for six years with funding for the professor’s own salary, research team salaries and other research costs.
To succeed in the winter call it is good to start preparing early. If you are planning to apply, please let the Research Services know as soon as possible your intention so we can plan our support activities accordingly. Please also check the recording of the RCF winter call Research Café (link below), where we go through in detail the funding possibilities, review form, feedback and learning from last call, and next steps.
We strongly advice you to familiarize yourself with the information provided at the RCF website – the call text will be published closer to the opening but you can already find the review form and reviewer instructions, panel descriptions, policies, and funding terms and conditions, which give a very good starting point to understanding what the RCF is looking for and what kinds of applications have the best chance of succeeding. There is also a search function where you can find information about past funding decisions.
RCF will organize two Ask & Apply webinars, which will be announced later. Joining these is a quick way to get answers to burning questions and inside tips for writing the best possible application. We also recommend you to subscribe to the RCF newsletter, where you will get the latest information and updates about the call.
Remember to follow the RCF templates in all appendixes and the research plan, and also use the University of Vaasa’s budget template for drafting the budget. If you need letters of collaboration from international partners, it is best to collect these early on, bearing in mind that they should include sufficient details about the partners’ involvement – including a clear description how their participation enhances the project and what activities they will be involved in.
And finally, seek timely support! Especially if this is your first time applying with the RCF, you should discuss the application with your colleagues and research team, and also contact Research Services. Tiina Leposky, Senior Specialist in Research Funding, will be available every Monday until 16 Dec at 13-14:00 to discuss your application and answer questions in Teams. You can also email us at tutkimus@uwasa.fi to book a meeting on campus or online with a specialist, or seek feedback or comments.
Below you will find a list of useful links that are aimed to help you in your application planning and writing. As the Christmas holiday season this year is between 21 Dec 2024 – 6 Jan 2025, it is good to start preparing early and submit well before the holidays – and then enjoy the break!
Research Services tutkimus@uwasa.fi
Data Management issues katja.laine@uwasa.fi / tritoniaresearch@uwasa.fi
Legal issues tiia.keltto@uwasa.fi
Research Café recording and slides 25 Sep 2024: Messi
Budget templates: Messi
Research Council of Finland (links to English pages but all are available in Finnish, Swedish, and English):
Call texts (available sometime in Oct-Nov)
Ask & Apply 2024 webinar recordings and video tips
Application instructions
Newsletter subscription in Finnish or English
Research Council of Finland on LinkedIn
What’s New in the Winter Call blog
