Environmental technology - Call for applications

The task of Research Council Formas is to promote and support basic research and need related research of the highest scientific quality and relevance in the areas environment, agricultural sciences and spatial planning. Research must contribute to sustainable development of society. For this to be possible, it is necessary that due attention is paid to the health and wellbeing of humans and animals, biodiversity, the viability of the environment and nature, economy, ethics, and social and cultural values.

Background
During 2006, Research Council Formas and VINNOVA were mandated by the Government to draw up a common research strategy for environmental technology. The Strategy Report, which was submitted to the Government on 1 February 2007, describes the background, starting points and considerations for the strategy. Proposals are also given for strategic measures and initiatives within the areas of activity of Formas and VINNOVA, also in cooperation with other actors.

The objective of the research strategy is to make a concerted effort concerning research and development of environmental technology. The strategy intends to promote the development of new knowledge and to strengthen competence in the field of environmental technology, and to promote Swedish competitiveness in the global market for environmental technology. A common vision is formulated.

Formas is now advertising a call for applications for research grants in the field of environmental technology. The total funds available for the period 2008-2010 amount to MSEK 15.

The focus of the call for applications
The strategy sets out six Swedish specialist areas. Of these, the following areas are the subject of this call:

• Sustainable spatial planning: areas of overarching importance such as sustainable buildings, sustainable renovation and sustainable cities, and more specific areas of technology such as building systems for timber, control and monitoring systems, and techniques for local energy supply.
• Environmental protection: treatment of water and sewage effluent, flue gas cleaning, soil remediation, waste management and recycling – cooperation among society, research and companies provides a good opportunity to promote development and export, and, not least, to demonstrate good examples.
• Use of biological natural resources: new processes to safeguard several components and/or energy in an effective way, new materials from renewable raw materials, new functional composites (surface and barrier materials, packaging and lubricants).
• Lightweight and advanced materials: in many areas, e.g. in applications where weight is significant for energy use or fuel consumption, materials that produce little waste or can be recycled, as well as advanced materials for e.g. electronics, medical technology, photovoltaic cells and sensors. In this area also, new processes for more effective production are of great importance.
• Energy: new technology for energy supply and more effective use of energy – such as solar energy technology, district heating technology, effective industrial processes, effective construction technology and lighting engineering, etc.
   
  Applications in all the above areas are welcome.

The following types of application are also welcome:

• System based, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary applications
• Applications which deal with social science aspects
• Applications which refer to r&d projects associated with demonstration projects

Special information
The duration of projects may be one, two or three years.

Co-finance of 50% from the private sector is required. Such co-finance may consist of the applicant's own work. A finance plan for the project including a clear description of the co-finance should be given in appendix B in the application.

In the area of environmental technology, Formas is cooperating with VINNOVA. If there is a need for cooperative partners in the form of companies, VINNOVA may be approached to find if there are suitable companies in VINNOVA's networks. VINNOVA may also be able to support selected projects at a later stage of the r&d and innovation chain.

The normal size of a project is about MSEK 1 annually.

Gender perspectives are to be observed in projects where this is relevant. Grants may be used as Swedish co-finance for EU projects.

Assessment
The applications will be assessed by a special expert panel.

The last date for submission of applications is 18 February 2008. Application to Formas is done via a web-based form at: http://direct.formas.se.

The Research Board of Formas will make its decision on 10 June 2008.

The decisions will be promulgated the following day on the Formas website.

For information regarding how the application should be organized and how it will be assessed, see Formas’ Handbook.

For more information, contact

Conny Rolén, Formas

tel 08-775 4030

Contact person at VINNOVA is Helen Andréasson

tel 08-473 3088