Sustainable Science Fund

Developments such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution pose urgent challenges to our society. Science plays a crucial role in understanding, preventing and dealing with these sustainability issues. But science itself also has an interest in more sustainable working methods. This applies to all scientific disciplines. Consider CO₂ emissions from mobility, energy and data use, or material consumption in laboratories. How can we use research to contribute to knowledge about sustainability and ensure that research across all disciplines is conducted in a sustainable manner? 

The urgency for more sustainable practices is widely felt in the scientific sector, but the right tools, resources and time are often lacking. The same applies to effective collaboration in this area. Existing initiatives are often fragmented and exchange is limited. With the call ‘Sustainable Science Fund‘, NWO wants to promote sustainability enabling researchers to carry out their research with as little  environmental impactas possible. Sustainable research practices contribute to becoming  more future proof, risk mitigation, efficiency and cost reduction. In addition, it is suitable for science to set an example in societal transitions such as the climate transition, and to develop new knowledge and innovations that can be widely applied in society. 

Collaboration as the key

Sustainability is not the expertise of every researcher. Not everyone has the right knowledge and perspective to initiate real transformation. The key to effective sustainability in science therefore lies in collaboration. Within science itself, between the scientific sector and societal partners, and with partners from the knowledge chain. This call therefore aims to stimulate (transdisciplinary) collaboration, knowledge exchange and networking between researchers and other important (societal) actors. Applications may be submitted by individuals or consortia. Individuals may submit an application as a project partner if they have an appointment with a research organisation or a civil society organisation for at least the duration of the application process and the proposed project.

This call for proposals is part of the Science in Transition programme line of KIN.