Call for projects on climate change transformation

The primary objective of the large-scale Climate Programme (KLIMAFORSK) is to generate essential future-oriented knowledge about the climate to the benefit of society, of national and international significance.

In this first major call, funding is available for Researcher Projects (NOK 120 million) and Knowledge-building Projects for Industry (NOK 15 million), with the aim of enhancing knowledge about how society can and should adapt to the challenges of climate change – including both mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change.

Social transformation

The process of social transformation in response to climate change addresses the extensive changes to society needed for a long-term, large-scale response to global climate change. Research on this transformation encompasses both radical change and gradual processes, and may focus on different areas of society in which transformation is taking place, or can or should be taking place, locally, nationally, internationally and globally.

This call for proposals is targeted at climate change at every level, from individuals and groups to countries and the international community. Research in this area therefore has a wide range, from studies of policy, instruments and measures and their effect on the climate system, the natural environment and society, to analyses of society’s capacity and willingness to design and implement change. Also included here are studies on how society can actively use the natural environment as a tool for social transformation as well as research on measures that can slow down, stop or reverse climate change.

Four sub-areas

Grant proposals must address research questions in one or more of the following four sub-areas of social transformation in response to climate change:

1. Climate change transformation as a social phenomenon;
2. Strategies for reducing anthropogenic impacts on the climate system;
3. Climate change adaptation strategies;
4. Interaction between strategies for reducing the impacts of climate change and strategies for adapting to the impacts of climate change.
    

This thematic framework of the call may be interpreted broadly.
The call is targeted at projects that are mainly within the social sciences and the humanities. Projects addressing interdisciplinary research questions and incorporating components from other disciplines such as the natural sciences and technology are encouraged, when relevant.

International cooperation encouraged

Within the general thematic framework of this call for proposals, the Norwegian Programme for Research Cooperation with China (CHINOR) will allocate up to NOK 15 million to Researcher Projects involving the participation of Chinese partners.

Equally the Norwegian Programme for Research Cooperation with India (INDNOR) will also allocate funding up to NOK 15 million to Researcher Projects involving the participation of Indian partners.

Finally, in cooperation with the Norway – Global Partner programme (NORGLOBAL), additional funding may be granted to Researcher Projects involving partners from countries in the global South.

People’s climate research

Within the NOK 120 million for Researcher Projects, NOK 10 million is set aside for a Research Council pilot on public engagement. The aim is to encourage interest in climate research among the public (for example, through extensive media attention surrounding the projects), and to make the research more relevant for the general public.

Six research questions with regard to social transformation in response to climate change have been defined and prioritised through focus groups and a national survey (ranked in order of priority):

1. What changes or measures can be implemented in different countries to mitigate climate change? 
2. How can we encourage all of the countries in the world to take responsibility for mitigating climate change? 
3. How can we lift people out of poverty around the globe without increasing the use of non-renewable energy? 
4. What kind of impact can be achieved by measures taken by individuals to mitigate climate change, such as waste separation at source? 
5. Compare the impacts on the climate of various transport modes, such as by sea, road or air. 
6. How can a system be created that shows consumers the impacts of their actions and consumption on the climate?

Successful applications under this part of the call will not only address one or more of these questions but also demonstrate the scope and feasibility of engaging with the public through the project. The Research Council plans to allocate funding to one to three projects within this area, within the ceiling of NOK 10 million. Funding will not be awarded for recruitment positions within these projects.

The application deadline is October 16th.

An English version of the call is expected in August, in the meantime please refer to the call in Norwegian.

Website: http://www.forskningsradet.no/servlet/Satellite?c=Nyhet&pagename=norklima%2FHovedsidemal&cid=1253987923078&lang=en