The urgent need to rapidly reduce carbon dioxide emissions to avoid uncontrollable climate change and fulfil the requirements of the Paris Agreement shapes decisions on how to define, design, and implement the energy transition in the Netherlands. The energy transition is closely intertwined with essentially all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but its wider effects are seldom taken into account or studied in detail. UvA has excellent researchers in many disciplines, working on economic, environmental, technological, social, political, and business aspects of the energy system, the energy transition, and SDGs. However, while the added value of interdisciplinary research has been widely acknowledged, it has been very difficult to pursue until now.

The aim of this research priority area (RPA) is, therefore, to stimulate and initiate interdisciplinary cross-faculty research that maps the energy transition in the Netherlands and Europe against the SDGs beyond Dutch borders. This RPA will provide seed money for joint cross-faculty initiatives to generate new opportunities for researchers to apply their expertise in an interdisciplinary approach, and develop joint proposals for external research funding. The RPA will specifically address tenure trackers, assistant professors, and newly appointed staff. Participating in the RPA will help them developing their scientific network across UvA faculties as well as creating new networks with public, non-profit and private stakeholders.

Generate new opportunities

The RPA will provide seed money for joint cross-faculty initiatives to generate new opportunities for researchers to apply their expertise in an interdisciplinary approach, and develop joint proposals for external research funding.

ENLENS call for project proposals

Project proposals can be submitted before 1 April and 1 October each year, but intermediate submissions may be considered.