During the period 2001 to 2008 Mistra funded 30 Idea support projects.
Mistra´s Idea Support Grants were intended to help realize innovative research projects with considerable potential to promote a better environment. The research should 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 could 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, were invited.
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.
