Nessling Foundation’s general call is open from 11 to 29 August 2025. In the general grant call, we are looking for innovative projects and active researchers and actors that enable or support sustainability transformation that protects natural systems. We will award a total of €2.85 million in grants to promote sustainability transformation.
- Monday 16 June at 3 p.m. – Stream online
- Tuesday 17 June at 3 p.m. – Stream online
In the general grant call, we are looking for innovative projects and active researchers and actors that enable or support sustainability transformation that protects natural systems.
In the general grant call, we award funding for three purposes. You can apply for:
- personal grants for doctoral thesis projects (for a maximum of 4 years)
- personal grants for postdoc projects (for a maximum of 2 years)
- project funding for science-based action projects (for one year).
Information sessions for the 2025 grant calls
We are organising two separate info sessions on the autumn 2025 funding calls, which you can attend live or online.
In these sessions, you’ll learn about the types of projects the Nessling Foundation is looking to fund this year, along with tips on how to approach different sections of your application, such as the interaction and communication plan. Additionally, previous grant recipients will share their experiences from the application process.
Information session on project funding
Monday 16 June from 3 to 4 PM
- On the agenda: science-based action projects and Murros-call
- Location: Puistokatu 4, Helsinki & online
- NOTE! This info session will be presented in Finnish. After the event, a recording with subtitles in English will be made available.
- Register for the session
Information session on personal grants
Tuesday 17 June from 3 to 4 PM
- On the agenda: doctoral thesis projects and postdoc research projects
- Location: Puistokatu 4, Helsinki & online
- This info session will be held in English. After the event, we’ll publish a recording with subtitles in Finnish.
- Register for the session
Both sessions will take place in Puistokatu 4, Helsinki and they can be viewed online on our YouTube channel. You can send in your question through the YouTube chat (requires logging in).
A link to the YouTube stream will be sent out for everyone who signs up for either session.
The sustainability transformation is a response to the ecological crisis. In the midst of this crisis, society and all its sectors must change to respect the limits of the planet and acknowledge humanity’s dependence on natural systems. This is referred to as a sustainability transformation that protects natural systems (Finnish Expert Panel for Sustainable Development).
We understand the sustainability transformation as a comprehensive process of societal change grounded in strong sustainability, which aims to align human activities with the ecological limits of the planet. It goes beyond technological solutions, demanding a far-reaching transformation across all areas of life – changes in the structures and functions of culture and society such as the economy, governance, production and consumption and our values and mindsets. A key aspect of the transformation is also the recognition of human dependence on nature.
The sustainability transformation is realised through active and purposeful human action across the society: in political decision-making, administrative regulation, the activities of businesses and other organisations, as well as in civil society initiatives and everyday choices. At the heart of the transformation is a coherent and long-term policymaking that ensures fairness and inclusiveness throughout the transformation (Luontopaneeli, in Finnish).
Start preparing for your application by reviewing the following:
- Check previously funded projects
- Read more about the strategy, vision and mission of the Nessling Foundation
- Familiarize yourself with the guidelines and criteria for the General call, Murros-call, and Small funding
- Register for the information session that’s most relevant for you:
- Monday 16 June – science-based action projects and Murros-call
- Tuesday 17 June – doctoral thesis research and postdoc research
Good luck!
