The Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA) is a programme where SLU researchers are offered the opportunity to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries on complex issues in the broad field of sustainable transition.
The fourth call for applications to SLU's Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA) (2025-2026) is now open.
The call welcomes 2 groups of researchers (5 researchers/group) who are employed at SLU, regardless of faculty affiliation or subject specialisation, to submit proposals for themes that consist of questions about a scientific problem area of a complex nature and that need a cross-disciplinary approach to be managed and develop solutions. For example, a theme may concern sustainable land, water and energy use; animal husbandry and its relationship to humans; land for forestry, settlement, food production, carbon sequestration, or biodiversity; food security, urban development or digitalisation for sustainable societal transition on an increasingly urbanised planet. Applications with a Swedish, Nordic or EU perspective on sustainability challenges (environmental, economic and social), but preferably in relation to the global context, are prioritised.
In this call, a maximum of 2 groups will be granted. Each group that is awarded the grant develops the theme's questions together for eight months (1 September 2025-30 April 2026). IDA's program manager Marie Stenseke will offer support and inspiration to the groups during the project period.
The project period ends with a forward-looking activity with an emphasis on future questions and continued research in the field.
The last day to apply to IDA 2025-2026 is March 12, 2025.
Read more about the call and how to apply here
Information and match making events
On 15 and 29 January, and 5 February 2025 SLU Future Food together with SLU Urban Futures will arrange lunch webinars with more information about IDA 4 (2025-2026), as an opportunity to meet other interested researchers to form groups and to ask questions.
Other important dates
- 5 Dec 2024: Call for applications to IDA 4 (2025-2026) opens
- 12 March 2025: Application deadline for IDA 4 (2025-2026)
- 16 April 2025: Announcement of approved theme groups in IDA 4 (2025-2026)
- 27 Aug 2025 (prel.): Presentation of results from IDA 3 (2024-2025) in the morning and workshop on interdisciplinarity at SLU in the afternoon
- 1 September 2025: The groups in IDA 4 (2025-2026) starts its work
- 3-4 September 2025: First physical meeting for the theme group in IDA 4 (2025-2026)
- 30 April 2026: End of project period for IDA 4 (2025-2026)
- Beginning of autumn semester 2026: Closing of IDA 4 (2025-2026) with open workshop at SLU
