International research initiative on climate change
The challenges created by climate change can only be adequately addressed through international cooperation. The SNSF is acting on this and joining a Canadian-led call.
The SNSF is joining the International Initiative for Research on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation. The initiative, which is led by the Government of Canada and supported by research funders from Brazil, Germany, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, will leverage international expertise to tackle global challenges caused by climate change and to further the design and implementation of co-produced adaptation and mitigation strategies for those groups most impacted by climate change.
The call is aimed at funding transformative research that has the potential to deliver game-changing impacts. The Swiss contribution is set at 2.6 million francs.
Projects submitted to the call are required to address at least two of the eight representative key risks identified in the Sixth Assessment Report of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which highlights the unprecedented changes in Earth’s climate and their impact on all ecosystems and societies. These are as follows:
- Risks to low-lying coastal socio-ecological systems
- Risks to terrestrial and ocean ecosystems
- Risks associated with critical physical infrastructure, networks and services
- Risks to living standards
- Risks to human health
- Risks to food security
- Risks to water security
- Risks to peace and to human mobility
Developing strategies to increase resilience to climate change requires an interdisciplinary approach. Therefore, project teams are expected to include expertise across various disciplines and sectors, as appropriate, including academia, government, not-for-profit organisations, communities and private industry. The integration of team members from vulnerable groups is also a requirement.
The deadline for submission of the mandatory notice of intent to apply is 2 May 2023; the deadline for submitting full applications is 12 September 2023. Funding decisions will be forwarded to the applicants in February 2024.