Suomen Akatemia 2011: tiede kasvuun

1. Suomen Akatemia 2011: tiede kasvuun

2. Suomen Akatemia 2011: tiede kasvuun Academy SHOK call 2012 – The targets of the call and how to apply Science Adviser Jan Bäckman Academy of Finland Targets of the call Application procedure and evaluation of applications of the SHOK call

3. Academy of Finland Academy of Finland • Tasks • Promote scientific research and its application • Award funding for cutting-edge scientific research, researcher training and the development of research capabilities • Advance international scientific collaboration • Provide expertise in science policy • Undertake other science-policy expert assignments • Four Research Councils whose operations cover all scientific disciplines • 2011 funding for cutting-edge scientific research some €340 million • Each year, some 5,000 people benefit from Academy research funding • Has a staff of some 150.

4. Government R&D expenditure 2011 Government R&D expenditure 2011 Total €2.065 billion Source: Statistics Finland 2011

5. Application Application for Academy funding • Open competition • Funding allocated to the best researchers and the most promising young researchers • Based on scientific peer review of the research plan and the applicant as well as on research and science-policy strategies • Success rate in general less than 20%.The success rate in 2011 SHOK call was about 17%. • Academy funding is fixed-term.

6. Funding opportunities The Academy's present funding instruments

7. Academy Projects Academy Projects and Targeted Projects • Promote the quality and diversity of research and its capacity for renewal by providing an opportunity to take on scientifically ambitious research • The funding is granted to leading-edge researchers and research teams • Primarily teams comprising researchers with a doctorate • Salaries • Acquisition of material and equipment • Travel • International cooperation

8. Research programmes Targets of the Call – how we came here? • Suggestions from Strategic Centers were asked in November • Board of the Academy chose two and developed them further • Novel control methods and user interfaces • New chemicals, materials and production technologies in a bioeconomy based on innovative forest biomass use • Comments were asked from Strategic Centers • Web consultation for researchers – 71 plans of intent received (48 of theme 2) • The Academy wants to reinforce scientific research conducted within the strategic centres and support collaboration between strategic centres, universities and research institutes.

9. Research programmes What is Special about the SHOK Call? • Two themes: • Novel control methods and user interfaces • New chemicals, materials and production technologies in a bioeconomy based on innovative forest biomass use • • Statement by a Strategic Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation is mandatory – deadline for SHOKs is end of March • Is the project within the SHOK’s SRA? • Is the project within the themes of the call? • • Funding period is max. three years and starts 1 January 2013 • • Both single projects and consortia allowed • • Multi- and transdisciplinarity are encouraged • Deadline for the Academy: Wednesday April 25th 2012 at 16.15

10. Centre of Excellence Programmes Some details •The applicant (i.e. the PI of the project) musthave the qualifications of a professoror an adjunctprofessor (docent) working at the universityorresearchinstitute. • The Academy of Finland will fund research projects only when the site of research guarantees the necessary basic facilities. Therefore you will need a commitment by the site of research. •Cost calculation is based on the full cost model, the Academy’s funding contribution to the project is at most 80%. • Earlier funding, e.g. ongoing Academy project is not a restriction

11. Mikä on tutkimusohjelma? How to apply 1/2 • Contents of the application • Application form (contains the abstract and mobility plan) • Research plan (at most 12 or 15 pages) • CV(s) of the PI(s) • Publication list(s) of the PI(s) • Progress reports if relevant • Invitation from foreign university or research institute, if the research or part of it will be conducted abroad • Statement by a Strategic Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation (Mandatory!) • Statement by an ethics committee or the Committee on Animal Experimentation (if relevant). • http://www.aka.fi/en-GB/A/For-researchers/How-to-apply/Appendices/ • Applications are made on-line!

12. Finnish Centres of Excellence in Research (CoEs) How to apply 2/2 • Contents of the ResearchPlan • Principal investigator (PI), title of research project, site of research, duration of project (months) • Background • Objectives • Research methods and material, ethical issues • Implementation: timetable, budget, distribution of work • Researchers, research environment and mobility • Researcher training and research careers (when the funding applied for goes to a research team) • Expected results and possible risks • Key literatureorbibliography • http://www.aka.fi/en-GB/A/For-researchers/How-to-apply/Appendices/Research-plan

13. Academy Professors and Academy Research Fellows Good to read before applying •Calltext http://www.aka.fi/en-GB/A/For-researchers/Apply-now/ •Instructions for applying http://www.aka.fi/en-GB/A/For-researchers/How-to-apply/ •Instructions on Fullcostmodel http://www.aka.fi/en-GB/A/For-researchers/How-to-apply/Full-cost-model/ • Evaluation form and instructions for the evaluators http://www.aka.fi/en-GB/A/For-researchers/Review-of-applications/

14. Doctoral programmes Evaluation form 1/2 1 Research plan Rating (1–6): 1.1 Scientific quality and innovativeness of the research plan Sub-rating (1–6): Is the project scientifically significant? Is the project innovative? Is the project breakthrough research containing risks and does it have potential for exceptionally significant outcomes? Is the project ambitious? Can the project generate new knowledge, new methods, new technology or new practices to end-users? If the project is multi/inter/transdisciplinary, how?   1.2 Feasibility of the research plan Sub-rating (1–6): Are the research plan, objectives and hypotheses clearly presented and realistic? Does the applicant acknowledge potential scientific or methodological problem areas and how are alternative approaches being considered? Are the research methods and materials appropriate for the project? Are the project management, resources and the division of labour and the proposed schedule appropriate and well-planned? 1.3 Ethical questions (to be answered if relevant) Are ethical issues involved and if so, how are they taken into account?

15. FiDiPro Evaluation form 2/2 2 Competence of applicant and quality of research environment Rating (1–6): 2.1 Competence and expertise of the applicant(s) Sub-rating (1–6): Guiding questions: Are the merits and scientific expertise of the applicant(s) appropriate and sufficient for the proposed project? What are the merits of the applicant(s) to supervise doctoral/postdoctoral students (if relevant)?   2.2 Research team and environment Sub-rating (1–6): Does the research environment support this project, including appropriate research infrastructures, and offer a wide base for researcher training? Does the research team bring complementary expertise to the project (if applicable)? How is the project integrated into the research environment? 2.3 Significance of research collaborations and researcher mobility Sub-rating (1–6): Is the project engaged in national and/or international research collaborations that can significantly contribute to the success of the project? What is the significance of the mobility plan? 2.4 Research consortium (if relevant) If a consortium is involved, what is the significance and added value of the consortium for the attainment of the research objectives? 3 Overall assessment Final rating (1–6): 3.1 Main strengths and weaknesses of the project. Additional comments and suggestions.

16. More information The Academy of Finland works for the best interests of science More information: • Academy of Finland: www.aka.fi/eng • Finnish science policy: www.research.fi/en • For mobile researchers: www.euraxess.fi Thank you!