British Academy launches new Net-Zero funding scheme

The British Academy, the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences, has launched a new funding scheme to explore how co-operation between a variety of sectors and areas of society can support the transition to Net-Zero.

Funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Shared understandings of a sustainable future will support interdisciplinary research that responds to the central question: "How can collaboration across sectors (public, third sector, business and local communities), foster shared commitments to goals, values and programmes to deliver Net Zero as part of a sustainable future?"

Applicants are encouraged to bring together multidisciplinary teams and include different types of expertise in their research, from both academic and professional communities, and may build on existing or ongoing research.

The scheme will make six awards of up to £20,000 over six months, starting in January 2022. The deadline to submit proposals is 8 December 2021.

Eligibility criteria and details of how to apply can be found via the British Academy website.

Hetan Shah, Chief Executive of the British Academy, said:

“This is a vital research programme that will help us better understand the pathways to Net-Zero. To deliver on global agreements like those struck at COP26, different parts of society, including business, government and civil society will need to work together as partners in creating change.

“Sustainability is not just a technical matter but has to be understood socially, politically, culturally and economically. Research in the SHAPE disciplines is therefore essential to ensuring change and innovation is resilient, just and inclusive.”