Nessling Foundation - Science-Based Action Grants

Enriched Nordic · Found: 2026-03-11 07:51

Grant program for science-based action projects addressing Baltic Sea environmental challenges.

Source: https://nessling.fi/en/instructions-science-based-action/

Funding Details

Funder

Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation

Funding Goal

Funding for science-based action projects that enable or support sustainability transformation protecting natural systems. Projects must be based on existing scientific knowledge and aim for societal impact on Finnish society. Covers one-year projects in areas such as climate change, biodiversity, pollution, food systems, and planetary boundary protection.

Funding Amount

EUR 50,000–100,000 per project for a maximum of one year. Co-financed projects are also eligible. (50.000 € – 100.000 €)

Deadline

Annual, typically late August (2026 call: 17–28 August 2026) (periodic)

How to Apply

Applications submitted via the Nesslink online system (nesslink.fi). Mandatory attachments: project plan (max 2 pages), communications and interaction plan (max 1 page), CVs of key team members, signed commitment form. Applications accepted in Finnish or English.

Target Region

Finland and globally, but results must be applicable to Finnish society and support Finland's environmental goals

Contact

Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation, Puistokatu 4, 00140 Helsinki, Finland. Email: toimisto@nessling.fi

Last Checked

2026-03-15 12:31

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Project must include at least one Finnish participant or organisation
• Project must have Finnish stakeholders or target groups
• No ongoing Nessling Foundation-funded project permitted for the applicant

Project Scope

• Project must be based on existing peer-reviewed scientific knowledge (no new research)

Required Documents

• Mandatory attachments: project plan (max 2 pages), communications/interaction plan (max 1 page), CVs, signed commitment form
• Application submitted via Nesslink system (nesslink.fi)

Constraints

• Project duration is a maximum of one year
• One application per applicant per call period
• Budget range: EUR 50,000–100,000 per project

Summary

The Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation offers annual funding for science-based action projects aimed at advancing a sustainability transformation that protects natural systems. The programme supports one-year projects that translate existing peer-reviewed scientific knowledge into real-world societal impact. Projects do not conduct new research but must draw on documented scientific knowledge to guide their design, content, and implementation. Thematically, the programme is broad, covering all areas of sustainability transformation, including climate change, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, pollution, land use change, nitrogen/phosphorus flows, and other planetary boundaries. Projects should clearly articulate how they contribute to safeguarding natural systems and connect to a specific socio-ecological system such as food systems, energy, urban development, or global environmental commons. Eligible activities include capacity building, stakeholder engagement, knowledge dissemination, campaigns, training, education, policy advocacy, and communications. Research dissemination, translation of scientific findings into practice, and collaboration with researchers are all valued. New research is explicitly excluded. The geographic scope requires that results be applicable to decision-making in Finnish society, and the project team must include at least one Finnish participant. International projects are permitted as long as Finland remains a beneficiary. The funder places special emphasis on multidisciplinary and cross-sector work. Applicants may be individuals, working groups, or organisations including NGOs, universities, municipalities, foundations, and companies. Each applicant may submit only one application per call, and no applicant may have an ongoing Nessling-funded project. The same party may re-apply for action project funding after completing a previous project. Funding is EUR 50,000–100,000 per project for a maximum period of one year. Co-financed projects are accepted. Budget items may include salaries, research expenses, travel, communications, analytical services, and equipment (excluding standard laptops and office space). Universities and government research institutes may include up to 15% overheads.

Historical Context

The general grant call is an annual programme. The 2025 call closed in August 2025 with €3,250,000 available for all grant types. Science-based action projects are one of three funding categories alongside doctoral thesis and postdoc projects. The Murros-call, a separate special call, will not run in 2026.

Sources

• https://nessling.fi/en/instructions-science-based-action/
• https://nessling.fi/en/open-calls/
• https://nessling.fi/en/grantcalls/

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