Deadline: 21-Sep-2026
The Forestry Funding Program is inviting applications to support solution-oriented research that strengthens collaboration between scientists and practitioners in sustainable forest management. The programme aims to improve how forests are managed, valued, and used by promoting evidence-based approaches that enhance biodiversity, climate resilience, and ecosystem services.
The initiative provides funding of up to CHF 100,000 per year for projects lasting between one and four years and focuses on generating practical solutions that support climate adaptation, biodiversity recovery, and sustainable forest product systems.
Overview
Forests play a critical role in climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and the provision of essential ecosystem services. This funding programme promotes integrated approaches that combine scientific research with practical implementation to improve forest management outcomes.
The initiative encourages collaboration between academic researchers and forestry practitioners to accelerate the translation of scientific knowledge into actionable strategies for sustainable forest use and conservation.
Funding Information
- Maximum funding: CHF 100,000 per year
- Project duration: 1 to 4 years
- Eligible cost categories:
- Salaries
- Consumables
- Equipment
- Knowledge transfer activities
- Stakeholder engagement activities
- Overhead and indirect costs: Not supported
Program Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Improve sustainable forest management practices
- Strengthen science–practice collaboration
- Promote climate change adaptation in forestry
- Support biodiversity recovery in forest ecosystems
- Enhance forest ecosystem resilience
- Encourage sustainable forest product systems
- Catalyse financial innovation in forestry investment
- Improve valuation of forest ecosystem services
Focus Areas
The current call prioritises:
- Climate change adaptation strategies in forestry
- Biodiversity restoration and recovery in forest ecosystems
- Integrative sustainable forest management approaches
- Development of tools for ecosystem service valuation
- Incentives for sustainable forest management behaviour
- Financial mechanisms to support forest conservation
- Translation of intangible forest values into practical decision-making tools
Project Types
The programme supports two types of projects:
Research Projects
These projects focus on generating new knowledge that can influence forestry practices.
Key requirements include:
- At least two partners from different organisations
- Mandatory involvement of stakeholders from the beginning
- Minimum 10% of budget allocated to knowledge transfer activities
- Strong potential for practical application in forestry
- Scalable and broadly relevant research approaches
Science–Practice Projects
These projects focus on transferring existing scientific knowledge into practical forestry applications.
Key requirements include:
- At least two partners from different organisations
- Inclusion of at least one stakeholder organisation
- Development of practical tools or resources
- Clear deliverables for practitioners
- Long-term sustainability and continuation plans beyond the project period
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Principal Investigator must be affiliated with an academic research institution
- Institution must be located in:
- EU Member States
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- United Kingdom
- Minimum of two project partners from different institutions
- At least one Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator must be an established or leading researcher relevant to the project
Ineligible Projects
The programme does not fund:
- Projects focused solely on implementation without scientific research
- Community development projects without a research component
- Limited case studies without broader applicability
- Urban forestry projects
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure that:
- Your institution is located in an eligible country
- The Principal Investigator is based in an academic research institution
- The project includes at least two partner organisations
Step 2: Define Project Type
Select either:
- Research project (new knowledge generation), or
- Science–practice project (knowledge transfer and application)
Step 3: Build a Consortium
Include:
- Academic researchers
- Forestry practitioners
- Stakeholder organisations
- Relevant technical or policy partners
Step 4: Develop Project Proposal
Prepare a proposal that includes:
- Clear objectives and methodology
- Stakeholder engagement plan
- Knowledge transfer activities (minimum 10% budget for research projects)
- Expected outcomes and deliverables
- Long-term sustainability plan
Step 5: Submit Application
Submit the complete application according to programme guidelines and requirements.
Tips for Applicants
- Ensure strong collaboration between science and practice.
- Clearly demonstrate how results will be applied in forestry management.
- Include stakeholders from the beginning of the project.
- Focus on scalability and real-world relevance.
- Highlight climate adaptation and biodiversity benefits.
- Develop clear tools or outputs for practitioners (especially for science–practice projects).
- Allocate sufficient resources to knowledge transfer activities.
Why This Funding Matters
Forests are essential for climate stability, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource use. However, achieving effective forest management requires stronger integration between scientific research and practical application. This funding programme supports innovative, collaborative approaches that improve forest resilience, promote biodiversity recovery, and help translate scientific knowledge into actionable forestry practices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the maximum funding available?
- Up to CHF 100,000 per year.
- How long can projects run?
- Between 1 and 4 years.
- What types of projects are supported?
- Research projects generating new knowledge.
- Science–practice projects focused on knowledge transfer and application.
- Who can apply?
- Academic institutions in eligible countries including EU Member States, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and the UK.
- What are the main focus areas?
- Climate change adaptation
- Biodiversity recovery
- Sustainable forest management
- Ecosystem service valuation
- Financial innovation in forestry
- Are overhead costs covered?
- No, overhead and indirect costs are not supported.
- What projects are not eligible?
- Pure implementation projects without research
- Urban forestry projects
- Community development projects without scientific components
Conclusion
The Forestry Funding Program supports collaborative, solution-oriented research that bridges science and practice in sustainable forest management. By funding projects that enhance climate resilience, biodiversity recovery, and ecosystem service valuation, the programme strengthens evidence-based forestry practices and promotes long-term sustainability of forest ecosystems across eligible regions.
For more information, visit Velux Stiftung.