1. Aims of the joint call
The ultimate goal of the call is to utilize existing Arctic observing systems, datasets and models to evaluate key sustainability challenges and opportunities in the Arctic region, to innovate new sustainability science theory and approaches to these challenges and opportunities, and support decision-making towards a sustainable Arctic environment.
Through this Call, the Belmont Forum seeks to bring together integrated teams of natural scientists, social scientists, and stakeholders to develop projects that utilize existing Arctic observing systems, datasets and models to evaluate key sustainability challenges and opportunities in the Arctic region.
2. Target research field
The focus is on the following four topics:
- 1-The natural and living environment
- 2-The built environment and infrastructures
- 3-Natural resource management and development
- 4-Governance
3. Participating countries
Canada, China, France, Iceland, India, Italy, Japan, Nordforsk, Norway, Russia, USA,
World Ocean Council
4. Eligibility
The following were eligible to receive support through this call:
- Persons affiliated with a domestic research organisation where they are able to conduct research
- Persons without a history of accounting irregularities which would restrict their eligibility to apply
5. Research Period
- Type1: ～3 years
- Type2: ～3 years
- Type3: ～5 years
6. Amount of Funding (including indirect costs)
- Type1: Approximately five million JPY
- Type2: Approximately fifteen million JPY
- Type3: Approximately fifty million JPY
7. Funded Expenses
Funding is provided mainly in support of exchange, networking and limited research activities
- Exchange and networking activity support can cover travel expenses and the costs of holding symposia and seminars, while support for research activities can cover consumables and facilities/equipment costs.
- In principle, indirect expenses can also be covered up to a maximum of 10% of the total direct costs mentioned above.
8. Evaluation Process
Evaluation of proposals was conducted by international Panel of Experts nominated by the Belmont Forum member organizations taking part in this joint call. The participating funding organizations then met to discuss the outcome of that evaluation and jointly decided on the projects to select for funding.
9. Evaluation Criteria
The following Belmont Forum CRA general criteria were applied in evaluation of each proposal:
(1) Quality/Intellectual Merit
- Scientific quality and innovativeness of the goals and objectives of the joint research plan
- Added value to be expected from the international research collaboration
(2) User Engagement and Societal/Broader Impacts
- Engagement of research users (relevant policy makers, regulators, NGOs, communities or industry) and the effectiveness of proposed knowledge exchange activities
- Expected impacts: e.g. societal, policy related, economical
(3) Inter-Disciplinarity and Personnel/Quality of the Consortium
- Collaboration between natural and social sciences, and other sciences where relevant
- Competence and expertise of the teams and complementarities of the consortium (inter-disciplinary / inclusion of all necessary expertise)
(4) Resources and Management
- Appropriateness of resources and funding requested
- Balanced cooperation