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We are now more than halfway through the 2030 Agenda, and as pointed out by the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, progress on the Sustainable Development Goals is not on track. We must think big, be disruptive and collectively empower science for sustainable societal transformations in the 21st century in order to achieve the ambitions of the Sustainable Agenda.

To pilot a “big science approach” to sustainability challenges, the International Science Council invites novel, innovative, collaborative consortia to co-design and embark on Science Missions for Sustainability as well as visionary funders and partners to join and support this bold collaborative effort!

In the past, the global community has supported big science approaches in basic science and infrastructure, such as CERN. Now, it is the time to think with a CERN mindset to address urgent existential risks, particularly in the regions that face disproportionate burdens and impacts arising from global challenges, and where the SDG progress is lagging the most.

The Global Commission on Science Missions for Sustainability‘s groundbreaking report, unveiled at the 2023 UN High-Level Political Forum, “Flipping the Science Model: A Roadmap to Science Missions for Sustainability,” outlines this visionary model. It seeks to elevate the collaboration between science, policy, and society to new heights, tailored for our unprecedented era. The goal is to render knowledge fully actionable, integrated, and engaged, aiming for solutions that match the scale of humanity’s most critical challenges.

In the Flipping the Science Model report, the Global Commission proposes to establish a network of Science Missions for Sustainability. Each Mission will focus on mobilizing coordinated, collective science-based actions towards addressing complex sustainability challenges at the global, regional and local levels.

The International Science Council (ISC) together with the Global Commission believes there is an urgency to pilot the new modality for science efforts. And this is the goal of the Global Call. 

Global Call for Pilot Missions and for Visionary Funders’ support

This Global Call aims to select up to five Pilot Missions to test the proposed model, thoroughly examining their execution, outcomes, and impact. Successful Pilots will set the stage for adapting and expanding the model.

The selected Pilots will demonstrate the value of truly collaborative transdisciplinary efforts in helping fast-track the achievement of the SDGs and accelerating societal transformation to sustainability. 

ISC invites novel collaborative consortia of scientists and scientific organizations, policymakers, non-governmental organizations, communities, and the private sector, working on the cutting edge of identifying solutions for complex sustainability challenges, to co-design targeted Science Missions for sustainability over an initial 18-month period. The call is open to bids for Pilot Missions worldwide, but ISC is strongly encouraging Pilots led by institutions located in the Global South to apply.

To implement Science Missions successfully, significant funding is needed. Collaborating strategically across funding sectors and pooling resources is crucial to maximize impact and efficiency. Early engagement of funders in the mission co-design process is critical. Initially, ISC aims to secure up to $250,000 per Pilot Mission the 18-month co-design phase. Following co-design, their objective is to secure full mission implementation funding.

While several funders have shown interest, no funding is currently secured. A high-level selection committee made up of eminent individuals will choose shortlisted consortia, after which matchmaking events will be organized later this year to connect shortlisted Pilots with interested funders and discuss funding needs. 

The goal is to launch five Pilot Missions in the first quarter of 2025, contingent on securing funding for the co-design phase.

The application process includes the submission of an expression of interest, the estimated length of which is about 2000 words, and only shortlisted expressions of interest will be invited to develop a full bid.

Deadline: Friday 31 May 2024, 00:00 UTC (09:00 Colombian time) 

Q&A sessions

The ISC is organizing two virtual Q&A sessions to address questions about the call. If you are interested in applying, your attendance is highly encouraged.

• Global Call Q&A Session 1: Thursday 25 April 2024, 13:00-14:00 UTC (08:00-09:00 Colombian time)

• Global Call Q&A Session 2: Friday 26 April 2024, 07:00-08:00 UTC (02:00-03:00 Colombian time)

Further information: website of the call; information and registration to the Q&A sessions

Contact: Katsia Paulavets, ISC Senior Science Officer, katsia.paulavets@council.science   

La Vicerrectoría de Investigación no tiene más información acerca de esta convocatoria distinta a la publicada en los enlaces de esta nota.

[Boletín SIUN 672, 4/5 de abril de 2024]