During the period 2001 to 2008 Mistra funded 30 Idea Support projects.
Mistra´s Idea Support Grants were intended to help realize innovative research projects with considerable potential to promote a better environment. The research should have a focus on discovery, innovative thinking or reappraisal of existing knowledge.
A project funded under the scheme must involve significant elements of boldness, originality and creativity. Support could also be given to research that expressly challenges or questions established ways of thinking. Pre-proposals from all research areas, including social sciences and the humanities, were invited.
It takes time — much more than most people think — to formulate a programme proposal that crosses boundaries, both those between disciplines and those between research and application. Make time and provide venues for meetings, and invest in team spirit.
It takes careful thought to ensure that the programme meets both the researchers’ career development needs and the users’ need for valuable practical benefits.
Interdisciplinary research often takes longer than research in a single discipline. Make sure you allow enough time.
The work involved in a Mistra programme often requires experienced researchers with both in-depth and wide-ranging knowledge. The programme therefore needs a balance between senior scientists and PhD students.
Avoid involving many small-scale, part-time researchers in the programme. This makes it more difficult to attain common aims in the programme.
The programme manager is a key person in the programme’s efforts to make its planned contribution. Being a Mistra programme manager is, as a rule, a full-time job. Think carefully about who is best suited for the challenging task of leading your team.
Strive to ensure two-way communication between the researchers and users. A one-sided presentation of ideas and research findings by the scientists seldom generates a feeling of participation and commitment in the intended users.
