2025 call: Sustainable energy solutions

Guidelines and template for research plan

The research plan is submitted as a PDF appendix on the tab ‘Research plan’ in the online services. Remember to convert the Word file into PDF format (Save as -> .pdf) before attaching it in the application form. Name the attachment file as follows: research_plan_yoursurname.pdf.

Read the call text carefully and familiarise yourself with the review guidelines, review form and principle of responsible evaluation (PDF) before you start writing the plan.

The maximum length of the consortium research plan is 15 pages.

The paper size is A4.

The font is Calibri/Carlito 12 pt.

The line spacing is 1.

The margins are 20 mm.

The text is left-aligned.

Do not use paragraph indents.

The font size in tables and figures must be at least 10 pt.

Use a single-column layout when writing the text.

The list of references is included in the length of the research plan. The font size in the list is 10 pt.

All references must be added directly into the text, for example as follows: (author(s), year) or [number]. You must not use footnotes.

The maximum size of the PDF appendix is 50 MB.

The instructions, structure and layout provided must be followed to ensure the equal treatment of applicants. Use the headings provided. The application cannot be submitted if the system detects a deviation in the headings, page configuration or structure.

Write the research plan on this template.

Fill in the sections according to the practices of your own discipline.

You cannot edit or delete the headings in the template. If necessary, you may add subheadings.

See the How-to guides for the online services on our website for the technical instructions.

Please delete the instructions in blue before attaching the research plan in the online system.

Click and write here: Title of research plan

Click and write here: Applicant’s name (and abbreviation of consortium)

Background and significance

In this section, describe the following aspects:

Significance of research project in relation to current knowledge, research-based starting points

How the project and the methods used are linked to previous international and/or national research (state of the art)

Research premise, aims and objectives

Research questions and/or hypotheses

Special objectives of call

Justifications for why and how the project will address the call objectives and questions as described in the call text, with emphasis on how it benefits both future energy systems and society in Finland. This includes a description of the most relevant beneficiaries of the project and their role in the project.

NB! Impact is addressed in detail in section 2 of the research plan.

Insert your text here...

Impact

In this section, describe the following aspects:

Outcomes and impacts of research within academia

Expected research results and their anticipated scientific impact

Project’s novelty or added value for science

Potential for scientific breakthroughs and renewal

Research impact within the scientific community

Expected added value of the consortium and how it will facilitate effective collaboration between partners to achieve the objectives of the call

Potential to advance current knowledge of sustainable energy solutions research

Effects, impact and interaction beyond academia

Describe the appeal, utilisation potential and application areas of the research results beyond the scientific community

Describe finding new ways to utilise proposed solutions in sustainable energy systems

Describe cooperation between various RDI actors and promoting collaboration between different research fields

Describe how to foster an increase in the carbon handprint

Describe how the proposed solutions can be used to strengthen carbon sinks and mitigate climate change

Describe how to ensure that the proposed solutions do not harm nature or biodiversity

Read more about the broader impact of research.

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Implementation

In this section, describe the following aspects:

Work plan and schedule

Detailed description of the research to be performed, starting from objectives, scientific references and preliminary data (if available)

Description of research tasks, their implementation and interconnections

Description of interaction tasks, their implementation and interconnections

If necessary, description of the responsibilities and management related to these tasks

Schedule for project implementation, incl. research tasks and work packages, distribution of personnel resources, and project milestones and deliverables

Research data and material, methods and research environment

Research data to be used, justifications and information on data collection or acquisition, data analyses and use of data, taking into account issues such as intellectual property rights

Research methods and how they will contribute to answering the research questions or confirming the hypotheses, or how they will support the chosen approach

Description of local, national and/or international research environment including research infrastructures. Enter the infrastructures to be used also on the tab ‘Affiliations’ in the online services.

Risk assessment and alternative implementation strategies

Critical points for success, probability of risks, means by which risks can be managed, and alternative implementation strategies

Project personnel and their project-relevant key merits

Task and role of principal investigator PIs (applicants) in the project

Tasks and roles of persons working on the project and their key merits (Names and/or level of education of the project’s researchers if known)

Project’s links to previous research by the PIs or the research team

How researcher training will be organised and research careers promoted

Scientific added value of consortium for attainment of research objectives

Read more: Consortium application guidelines

Collaborators

National and international collaborators of key significance to project implementation as well as their roles

Justifications for the collaborators, description of what is achieved through the collaboration. Description of the planned interaction with stakeholders and end-users and beneficiaries at various stages of the project (key actors, means, channels and optimal timing)

Responsible science

Consideration of research ethics, open access to research publications and data, promotion of equality and nondiscrimination in society at large and in the project implementation.

Consideration of sustainable development goals in project activities

Read more: Responsible science

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References

The list of references is included in the length of the research plan. The font size in the list is 10 pt. All references must be added directly into the text, for example as follows: (author(s), year) or [number]. You must not use footnotes.

List the references here...