The use of ancient DNA has revolutionised archaeology and our knowledge of human migrations around the globe. In addition, information from environmental DNA, extracted from sediments deposited over time, can be used to reconstruct present and past ecosystems.
The Finnish Cultural Foundation opens a funding call in October 2022 for projects studying ancient, environmental and sedimentary ancient DNA. This funding scheme, to the total value of EUR 2.000.000, aims to increase collaboration of groups coming from different disciplines, thus strengthening the field as a whole in Finland.
The Finnish Cultural Foundation opens a funding call in October 2022 for projects studying ancient, environmental and sedimentary ancient DNA. This funding scheme, to the total value of EUR 2.000.000, aims to increase collaboration of groups coming from different disciplines, thus strengthening the field as a whole in Finland.
Grant Application Schedule
The grants are open for application in the October application round. Applications close at 4 pm Finnish time (EET) on the last day of the application period.
Eligible Applicants
The grant is intended for research groups which may be based in one or more universities or reseach institutions. The responsible project leader must have a doctoral degree. A registered legal entity, such as a university or research institute, may not apply. All scientific work in the project will be remunerated as working grants, not as salaries (this does not apply to auxiliary personnel or outsourcing services, such as laboratory analyses).
Grant Purpose
Project grants of between EUR 50.000 and 500.000 will be awarded to research groups that use aDNA, eDNA and/or sedaDNA to provide insights into the past of Finnish environment and populations. Larger grants will be reserved for more ambitious multidisciplinary consortia, while smaller grants are given to limited projects that are not multidisciplinary.
From the left side of this page, you can download the Map of target areas appendix. The map contains potential material and sampling locations (sediment cores from lakes or bogs, bones, water, atmosphere, etc.). Project applications focusing on these sites will be preferred. The applicants are strongly encouraged to form collaborations, with the aim of mutual learning and shared costs of sampling, sequencing and analysis.
How to Apply
The application is submitted on the Online Application Service during the October application period. This special purpose grant can be selected in the Grant Type menu on the Application page of the application form.
The project proposals should include a budget for sampling, sequencing and analysis of the material. They should also specify the laboratory and/or other collaborative partners needed for the research. A letter of commitment should be included from facilities or collaborators participating in sampling, sequencing or analysis if they are not among the grant recipients. Permits relating to material and their state should be explained in the proposal.
The required attachments to be appended in the application are listed in the Application Guidelines for Grants. The research plan to be attached to the application must be submitted either in Finnish or English, but the summary included in the application form must be written in Finnish.
