The translation of transformative policy ambitions in funding research for climate change

This paper addresses how research and innovation (R&I) policy responds to global challenges, which demand fundamental transformations of societies and economies. The paper presents the case of a transnational, European funding call (SOLSTICE) for climate change research led by social sciences and humanities. Both the development of SOLSTICE and the research community’s responses are analysed in relation to the transformative R&I policy literature, identifying potential future avenues for improving the transformative outcomes of this type of funding. The study concludes that unlocking the value of transformative R&I policy concepts and approaches depends on wide stakeholder engagement in the funding instrument design phase and an active and sustained focus on achieving societal outcomes during project implementation. In addition, barriers to the effectiveness of (European) transnational funding programmes are identified, particularly when policies target community-level socio-technical transitions to address global challenges.