Argumenta is a funding model intended for discovering scholarly, interdisciplinary, sustainable arguments that seek to answer open questions in important fields of research.
Argumenta funding programme has ended and grants are no longer available. We encourage you to apply for funding for projects similar to Argumenta in the October application round.
Argumenta is a funding model intended for discovering scholarly, interdisciplinary, sustainable arguments that seek to answer open questions in important fields of research. Argumenta projects are of cross-disciplinary nature, and they extensively analyse competing theories and practices. The aim is to bring the results of these analytical debates to the attention of the public and of decision-makers, so that they can have an influence on societal decision-making.
Applications for Argumenta grants must be made in the name of a scholarly project team. The team should, if possible, include representatives of all of the disciplines relevant to the topic. The working group must name one designated person, who is then liable to the Cultural Foundation and, if need be, to the Farmers' Social Insurance Institution MELA and to the Finnish Tax Administration, for the possible grant to be awarded.
The core operating model for Argumenta is to organise a series of seminars and, possibly, workshops, which may also involve other activities. The funding is not intended for actual research, but rather for covering the costs of the seminars, other events, and communications.
The grant sum for one project is approximately EUR 100,000–150,000.
The objective of Argumenta projects is either to A. increase and deepen public debate on the topic or B. achieve a direct impact on societal decision-making.
If the emphasis of the project is to be on awakening public debate (a), the project budget must include an allocation for employing influencer marketing professionals.
If the emphasis is to be on direct social influence (b), the project outcomes must be publicly presented in materials intended for use by decision-makers and as tools for more in-depth examination of the topics. The budget must include an allocation for influencer marketing purposes.
How to apply
The application is a two-stage process. The first stage will be open during the March Round of Applications on the Finnish Cultural Foundation’s Online Application Service. Applications close at 4 pm Finnish time on the last day of the application period.
Attachments cannot be appended to the first-stage application. Everything essential must be described in the space allotted in the application form. This includes statements, which are also not accepted in the first stage of the application process. Applicants will be informed by the end of May if they have been selected for the second stage.
The second stage of the application process for the selected applicants opens in the August round of applications. The second-stage application must include a work plan, a budget, and a media plan that covers public affairs communications as well.
If the emphasis of the project is to be on social influence (b), the communication plan must detail the nature and distribution channels of the publications that the project will produce for decision-makers’ use.
The applicants will be notified of the results by the end of October.
The criteria applied to Argumenta are as follows:
• The topic must be of scholarly interest and have a far-reaching societal impact.
• The topic must involve academically controversial issues, with the aim of forming an overall understanding of these issues through cross-disciplinary debate.
• The project must aim to increase and deepen public debate on the topic or try to achieve a direct impact on societal decision-making through the scholarly arguments produced as part of the project.
Reporting
Grant reports must be submitted using the Online Services for Grantees. The deadline for reports is one year after the payment of the last instalment. The report must detail the main content of the project, the seminars, events and their numbers of participants, as well as an evaluation of the success of the project and the fulfilment of its communication goals. The use of the grant must be itemised by expense type using a separate appendix.
Contact for Argumenta Grantees:
