Issue 6/2020

ALL REGIONS

Academy of Finland September call
The Academy of Finland has published the call texts for the September call. The call will be open between 1-30 September, and funding is available for a number of purposes. Find the call texts here, and a blog post on what has changed since last year here.

Nessling Foundation General grant call and Special call
The Nessling Foundation's calls will be open between 10 August and 11 September. The Foundation primarily awards funding for young researchers and their solution-oriented research projects. The 2020 general call focuses especially on the interfaces between the economy and human health and the environment, but climate change, biodiversity loss, sustainability of the use of natural resources, water risks, and chemicalization and pollution are also eligible themes. The special call is themed "The economy and human health in the planet’s ecological crisis." More information.

Kone Foundation calls
The Kone foundation's calls will be open 1-15 September, including the general grant call, a thematic call themed "Sustainable Development, Russia, and Finland,", as well as residencies. The foundation funds bold initiatives challenging current perspectives, supporting research, arts, and combinations of the two. There will be an info session on 19 August. More information.

Business Finland: Co-creation funding
In co-creation projects, research organizations and companies cooperate on developing a new research idea carrying significant international business potential. The research organization has the opportunity to conduct relevant research, while the company can potentially get significant international business opportunities. Funding can be applied for at any time. More information.

Business Finland: Co-innovation funding
In Co-Innovation projects research organizations and companies co-create new knowledge and innovations for the needs of international business. Funding is aiming at simultaneously increasing the competences of research organization and new export business. Funding can be applied for at any time. More information.

Science|Business database of funding opportunities
The Science|Business network has compiled a database of funding opportunities related to the coronavirus pandemic. Find the database here.

H2020 Future and emerging technologies FET - Open Calls
FET Open supports early stage science and technology research exploring new foundations for radically new future technologies by challenging current paradigms and venturing into unknown areas. A bottom-up selection process widely open to any research idea builds up a diverse portfolio of new research directions. Early detection of promising new areas, developments and trends, along with attracting new and high-potential research and innovation players, are key factors. More information.

H2020 Energy Efficiency Call 2020 - Open Calls
The last Work Programme for Secure, Clean and Efficient Energy under Horizon 2020 is designed to facilitate a smooth transition to the future Horizon Europe and LIFE programmes. The two intervention areas:  "Buildings in energy transition" (B4E), and “Smart and clean energy for consumers” (EC) bring together 18 topics focusing on energy efficiency as a cornerstone of the energy transition. The work programme operates on a budget of close to €120 million of EU funding. More information.

H2020 ERA-NET Cofund & CSA 2020 - Open Calls
The ERA-NET Cofund instrument under Horizon 2020 implements the co-funded joint call for proposals that leads to the funding of trans-national research and/or innovation projects. The European Commission has launched the final round of calls for the ERA-NET Cofunds on 10 different topics. Find out more about the topics, links to calls, and call deadlines on the ERA-LEARN website.
 

ASIA

The Finnish National Agency for Education: Asia programme
EDUFI provides funding for higher education institutions' education collaboration with partners in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Application deadline has been extended until 17 August. More information (only in Finnish).

Adapting to climate change – EU strategy
The EU has launched a public consultation concerning its forthcoming climate change adaptation strategy. The EU Green Deal aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent to protect people, the planet, and prosperity. The COVID-19 pandemic is also an opportunity to build back better in the long term. Thus the EU is inviting inputs form citizens, researchers, businesses, organizations, and local authorities. The consultation is open until 20 August. More information.

S4D4C European science diplomacy course
The S4D4C project offers a free online course on science diplomacy in Europe. The course covers the state of the art of science diplomacy, EU practices, global strategies, case studies, and more. It is targeted at anyone interested in science diplomacy, for example researchers, embassy staff, civil servants, and science advisers. The course can be completed at any time. More information.

SLE trainings 2020-2021
The Berlin-based Centre for Rural Development (SLE) is offering a wide variety of high-quality online trainings on a number of development-related themes, such as managing development projects, participatory workshop methods, disaster risk management, and conflict management. An Early bird registration rate is offered until 1 July. More information.

ALL REGIONS

FAO Brussels dialogue on agriculture, biodiversity, and the EU Green Deal, 18 June, online
The FAO Brussels dialogues are regular online events aiming to share the FAO's expertise and engage the global audience on current food and agriculture themes. This dialogues is titled "Mainstreaming biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources across the agricultural sector - linkages with the European Green Deal and the COVID-19 response", and focuses on transforming food systems. More information.

Webinar: Post-COVID-19 Trade and development agenda, 18 June, online
The ECDPM and European University Institute are organizing a webinar on African and Caribbean perspectives and expectations from Europe for post-COVID-19 trade and development. One of the questions to be addressed is whether trade policy should be used to achieve non-trade policy goals in this new context. More information.

Webinar: Re-imagining higher education in Africa in the 'new normal', 19 June, online
This RUFORUM webinar focuses on teaching and learning innovations, redefining the university communities and private sector engagement, and opportunities for influencing national development. More information.

EU Sustainable Energy Week Policy Conference, 23-25 June, online
The EUSEW policy conference 2020 is themed "Beyond the crisis: clean energy for green recovery and growth". The event is aimed at all public and private sector actors and organizations supporting clean energy. Sessions are organized by the EC as well as various stakeholders in the industry, focusing on sustainable energy, policy, and innovations. More information.

Webinar: Entrepreneurship, Economic development, and the Scientific method, 30 June, online
This webinar will focus on entrepreneurship in developing economies, where the romanticized narrative of trial and error leading to success can impede effective change. A novel research initiative for developing entrepreneurial approaches and practices will be presented, including the results of initial applications. More information.

UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, 7-16 July, online
The UN platform for the follow-up of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs is convening virtually. The theme this year is "Accelerated action and transformative pathways: realizing the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development." In addition to the official sessions, there are a number of online side-events taking place. More information. 

ABOAGORA 2020: Water, 19-21 August, Turku and online
The goal of the ABOAGORA event is to bring together researchers from across disciplines, artists, and the public to establish new dialogues and collaboration through interdisciplinary discussions and artistic interventions. The theme this year is "Water", and the event will be livestreamed. There is no participation fee. More information.

Pedaforum 2020, 20-21 August, online
The theme of this year's Pedaforum is "The Cycle of Learning - Campus and Cloud." The higher education pedagogy seminar aims at sharing good teaching practices and research findings and is open to anyone interested in high quality learning. The event will be conducted both in Finnish and English, and there is no participation fee. Registration deadline is 7 August. More information.

European Research and Innovation days, 22-24 September, online
The EU R&I Days bring together policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and citizens - this time in a virtual mode. To ensure sustainable, inclusive, and resilient societies post-COVID-19, research and innovation play a key role, and the EU response is one of the key themes this year. Stay tuned to the event website for more information.

Unifin kestävyys- ja vastuullisuusseminaari, 25 September, online
Universities Finland is organizing a sustainability seminar for the Finnish university community, focusing on the role of sustainable development in education and the mitigation of universities' carbon footrprints. The aim of the event is to build an overview of the issues nationally, share best practices, and facilitate collaboration across universities. The event will mainly be in Finnish, but there is a workshop for English-speaking participants as well. Registration deadline is 28 August. More information.
 

AFRICA

AU-EU Summit, 28-29 October, Brussels, Belgium
A high-level AU-EU Summit is scheduled for October, with an open stakeholder event preceding it. The events are likely to take place either partially or entirely online. More information will be shared once the events are fully confirmed.
 

ASIA

Webinar: Child-Friendly City Adaptation in China – Current Circumstances and opportunities, 19 June, online
This webinar focuses on the Child Friendly Cities Initiative in the Chinese context. What is the current situation and which opportunities exist? Both academic and commercial perspectives will be covered. More information.

Asia-Europe Sustainable Connectivity Conference (AESCON), 23-25 September 2020, Singapore
AESCON is the first scientific conference on Asia-Europe sustainable connectivity, themed "Strengthening Asia-Europe links through data and research". The conference aims to provide an academic forum to discuss global challenges on transport infrastructure, energy transition, climate change, digital economy, trade and investment flows, security, people mobility, cultural exchanges, and others. More information.
 

LAC

The 3rd Open Science Forum of Latin America and the Caribbean - CILAC Forum 2020: Science that includes, 21-23 September 2020, Buenos Aires, Argentina
The CILAC Forum is the largest event of scientific knowledge at the regional level, taking place every two years in different cities with the aim of promoting sustainable communities through science, technology, and innovation. The main themes of the 2020 conference are AI, digital economy, and inclusive science. Stay tuned to the event website for more information.

We need to reimagine higher education, not just repair it
In this University World News piece, the author argues that a 'new normal' for higher education must be shaped, and educators, policy-makers, employers, and investors must urgently think about how higher education can shape the post COVID-19 world. Read the article here.

Universities face common problems – They need to share information
In this University World News article, the challenges COVID-19 has presented universities are discussed, highlighting that they are shared across the world and that information sharing is key in overcoming them. Some concrete examples of future adaptation plans of Michigan State University are also included. Read the article here. 

Science, research, and innovation performance of the EU 2020
The new bi-annual EU SRIP report emphasizes the role of research and innovation in supporting growth, and offers 11 R&I recommendations to support the wellbeing of people and the planet. They are classified under the pillars of a safe and just space for humanity, global leadership, and economic and societal impact. Find the full report here.

Kokoaako koronakriisi tiedemaailman vai repiikö eriarvoistuva koulutus kenttää?
The Team Finland Knowledge network experts present their perceptions on the economic and societal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in their target areas, highlighting the implications for Finnish HEIs' international activities. Find the TFK newsletter here (in Finnish).

Selvitys korkeakoulujen tasa-arvon ja yhdenvertaisuuden edistämisestä
The Ministry of Education and Culture has published a report on how Finnish HEIs advance equality among their staff and students. The report found that there is a lot of room for improvement in the institutions' equality plans, although they also include plenty of good ideas. Find the full report here (in Finnish).

Finland's Voluntary National Review 2020
Finland has published a VNR on 2030 Agenda implementation. The report highlightsthat Finland’s key challenges are related to consumption and production patterns, climate action, and the state of biodiversity. Gender equality challenges also remain. Find the full report here.


AFRICA

International collaboration in Horizon Europe: A new approach to partnering with Africa
The ECDPM has published a brief on research and innovation collaboration between Europe and Africa, featuring concrete recommendations for the forthcoming EU research and innovation strategy. The brief encourages for a new approach in partnering with Africa, for example by recognizing the innovations taking place in Africa, and the variety of actors in the R&I space. Find the full report here.

Database of FNSSA projects published
The LEAP4FNSSA project, funded by H2020, has published a database of projects related to Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) across Europe and Africa. Find the database here.

Bridging Existing and New Approaches for the Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Between Finland and Africa 
This report is an output of the FinCEAL initiative. It aims to collate the experience and the lessons learned during 6 years of the initiative's activities in support of and enhancing Finnish cooperation with Africa on Science Technology and Innovation (STI). Find the publication here.

Global Science TV
The International Science Council has launched Global Science TV, a show featuring internationally renowned scientific experts. The 15-minute episodes are entertaining and informational, addressing the notable scientific issues of today. The first episode is titled "Why can’t we deal with climate change as urgently as COVID-19?" More information.

ISC presents -podcast
The ISC's new podcast addresses the challenges, stories, and celebrations of science, aiming to be thought-provoking and encourage international action. The first series discusses gender equality in science, consisting of six 15-minute episodes where researchers share their perils and aspirations. More information.