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Idea Support Grants

2007

Mistra's Idea Support Grants are intended to help realize innovative research projects with considerable potential to bring about a better environment. The research shall have a focus on discovery, innovative thinking or reappraisal of existing knowledge. A project funded under the scheme must involve significant elements of boldness, originality and creativity. Support can also be given to research that expressly challenges or questions established ways of thinking. Pre-proposals from all research areas, including social sciences and the humanities, are invited.

History:

Download:
Call for Idea Support Grant 2007 (pdf, 110 kB)
Guide Idea Support Grants (pdf, 400 kB)

Contact:
Johan Edman
+46 (0)70 425 07 63

Read more:
Mistra's Idea Support Grants

Research ideas of innovative value are associated with great uncertainty and a larger element of risk taking than normal on the part of the funder. Mistra accepts a high degree of uncertainty, provided that the proposed research is considered capable of producing major environmental benefits in the long term. Innovative research often goes against the flow; it steps aside from the beaten track, or beats a new track of its own. Mistra feels it is important to create funding opportunities for research of this kind.

A project funded with an Idea Support Grant should be based on a clearly defined and demarcated question, which researchers are then given the opportunity to investigate in depth. The scheme thus complements the funding provided for the much broader and larger-scale Mistra programmes.

The closing date for Mistra´s Idea Support Grants 2007 is September 13, 2007.

Updated: 2008-06-29

2008-10-02
Planning grant for sustainable urban development
Three groups have been granted support for continued planning of their research proposals to Mistra´s...

2008-06-22
Two new programmes and three that continue
Use of the forest and homes of the future are in focus for the two new research programmes that...

2008-06-22
Homes for Tomorrow
The Board passed a preliminary decision to grant a maximum of 45 million SEK for a first four-year...

Remember that...
Preparing a proposal that cuts across disciplinary boundaries and boundaries between research and practical use takes time - much longer than most people think. Make time and create places to meet, and invest in developing a team spirit.

Careful thought needs to be given to how a programme can provide value to users, while still meeting researchers  needs in terms of career development.

Interdisciplinary research often takes longer than research within a single discipline. Plan sufficient time to allow for this.

A Mistra programme often requires experienced researchers with both depth and breadth. There therefore needs to be a balance between senior researchers and postgraduate students.

Avoid having large numbers of participants involved in the programme on a limitedpart-time basis, since this makes it more difficult to achieve the shared goals of the  programme.

The programme manager is a key figure in ensuring that the programme achieves its objectives. Being the manager of a Mistra programme is generally a full-time job.  Think through who the most suitable person is to take on the challenging task of leading your group.

Make every effort to ensure that communication between researchers and users is a two-way process. One-way presentations of ideas and research results by researchers rarely inspire a sense of involvement and commitment on the part of intended users.