The 2017 decisions on grant applications have been made. We awarded funding for a total of 78 solution-oriented projects promoting environmental protection. 32 applicants received grants for doctoral theses, 28 applicants for postdoc projects and 18 for environmental information communication and implementation projects. For the first time, grants were awarded for the entire duration of projects.
The Nessling Foundation awards grants for the following themes:
Atmospheric research, aquatic environment research, terrestrial ecosystem research, environmental technology research and development, environmental economics, environmental law, environmental politics and other relevant scientific fields, environmental conferences and meetings, events, publications and other activities that promote the transfer of research information to society as solutions and support for decision making.
Here is how the grants broke down into categories.
EXAMPLES OF WHAT WE GRANTED FUNDING FOR
Research promoting environmental protection brings different scientific fields together. Here are some of the projects we decided to fund.
Production of novel biodegradable polyesters from hydroxy acids – valorisation of underutilised side stream of pulp and paper industry, €55,000 grant.
Raw materials must be used more efficiently than at present in order to make our consumption as ecological as possible. Each year, over 7 billion kilos of pulp are produced in Finland alone. One fifth of it currently remains unused.
We granted funding for Anna Ylinen’s research project, which aims to develop a method for producing biodegradable polyester from pulp and paper industry side streams. The material can be used to replace, for example, petroleum-based materials in plastic packaging.
Mapping of future climate risks in Helsinki. The role of urban climate governance in climate risk formation and alleviation, €53,500 grant.
Cities can be more nimble than states in adapting to and solving climate change. That also requires carrying out good risk analysis.
We granted funding for Alexandra Jurgilevich’s research project, which takes socio-economic factors into account in mapping the climate risks facing the city in the future. The mapping helps, for example, decision makers and urban planning. The mapping done in the project takes into account socio-economic factors relevant to climate risks, such as urban development, population structure, the wellbeing of residents and the economic situation.
Intentional minds – A non-anthropocentric view on valuer and the value of natural complexes, €48,000 grant.
How we value our environment also affects how we take care of it.
We awarded a grant for Jari Kärkkäinen’s research project, which aims to clarify how various compositions in nature, such as ecosystems or communities, get their value. Why a certain part of nature is considered valuable is unclear, or the existing explanations are unsatisfactory. The study proposes that the value and definitions of nature’s compositions depends on the valuer, that is, they are subjective. The specific goal of the study is to define the valuer as an actor with a mind, who directs their efforts towards what they value. Such an actor is primarily an intentional mind regardless of its physical carrier. Hence, the valuer of nature can be some other creature than a human.
Three experiments on communicating environmental research results for societal use, €35,650 grant.
Modern technology enables more effective communication of research results than ever. We awarded a grant for Kaisa Korhonen-Kurki’s communication project, in which three new ways for implementing environmental research results are tested.
1: The experiment will test virtual reality in implementing research results. The subject is the effect that tree felling and increasing the current use of wood has on the climate and natural diversity.
2: The subject of the experiment is Arctic change, in the framework of which a workshop will be held using the so-called T-Lab concept. The workshop aims to create a future vision for the Arctic region.
3: The experiment will implement the City of the Future planning game. In the urban planning strategy game, you build a fictitious city and combine practical actions with new scientific results.
Take a look at all the funded projects here.
You can inquire about grant decisions by phone from the Foundation’s Research Director, Minttu Jaakkola, tel. 040-1696325 only during the following times:
Friday 1.12. between 10.00–12.00
Monday 4.12. between 14.00–16.00
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