Feedback on RCF winter call 2025: applicants criticise schedule, appreciate guidance
The Research Council of Finland has now analysed the feedback received from applicants in the 2025 winter call, which closed in early January. A total of 1,038 applicants responded to the 2025 feedback survey. A comparison with the 2024 survey results shows both positive developments and challenges in the RCF application process.
Applicants were largely satisfied with the information provided in the call texts, with 87% of respondents feeling that they had found the information they needed to prepare their application. There was also more satisfaction than before with the overall quality of the RCF’s application guidance. On a scale from 0 to 10, the overall score given by applicants rose from 7.3 to 7.8.
The revised structure of the research plan was met with positive feedback: on a scale from 0 to 10, 62% of respondents gave the new structure a score of 8 or more for its suitability for describing their own research. On the other hand, respondents had a slightly more critical view of the of the plan templates. We received many suggestions to improve the templates.
Since 2024, applicants in the winter call have chosen the review panel for their application. In this round, 63% of respondents felt that the panel selection process was straightforward. The same proportion of respondents considered the panel descriptions to be adequate, a slight improvement compared to the previous survey.
We received more than 600 open-ended responses. Very many of them criticised in particular the call’s closing date, immediately after the holiday season. The timing was perceived to increase the workload of researchers during the holidays and to be particularly challenging for those with families. In addition, many respondents pointed out how the call schedule also made it more difficult to prepare applications together with the support services of the host institutions. The RCF had improved the application process and guidelines based on feedback from previous surveys – respondents appreciated the improvements, but also found the constant changes taxing. Respondents gave very positive feedback on the application instructions and the quick and professional advice given by RCF officials. The feedback also included a number of ideas to streamline or improve the application process.
The overall score for the application process fell compared to the previous survey. In 2024, up to 85% of respondents considered the RCF application process to be good or very good, compared to 73% this year.
More information about the responses and key figures calculated from the responses (PDF)
The Research Council of Finland would like to thank all those who took time to respond to the survey. We will use the feedback from the survey, among other things, to assess the timing of the next winter call. The respondents’ comments and suggestions will also be taken into account in the preparation of future calls and in the ongoing development of the RCF application process.
