HIGH IMPORTANCE

Dear RCF Winter Call applicant,

those applying for Academy Research Fellowship or Academy Project Funding in the Research Council of Finland winter call closing 12 November 2025 must include as an appendix a self-assessment of research security issues and, if necessary, a more detailed description of the risks and a risk management plan. The assessment must be prepared using the template provided by the funder. 

The commitment issued by the site of research to the application means that the university accepts the application and confirms that security risks and their management have been adequately addressed in the application.

The internal process at the University of Oulu

All applicants need clearance from the person who gives commitment by site or research, prior to submission of their application. For this purpose, we are collecting the research security information from you in Webropol and forward it to the relevant commitment giver. We also ask you to give a short summary (or draft abstract) of your research to help evaluate the research security issues which may arise.

Submit your answers on two Webropol forms by 31 October: 

1. Cover note: https://link.webropol.com/s/security-cover-note-for-winter-call-applicants-2026

2. Self-assessment form: https://link.webropol.com/s/security-self-assessment-for-winter-call-applicants-2026  

Have a look at the forms as soon as possible and contact me if you have any questions. This way there is enough time to resolve any possible issues. 

Please note that this process is compulsory for permission to apply. You will be informed that the risk assessment has been accepted as soon as possible. Meanwhile, you should continue working on your application.

Instructions for completing the self-assessment rorm

• Carefully read all the instructions and documents linked to the self-assessment form before completing it.

• You may submit the appendix in English, Finnish or Swedish, regardless of the language of your application. The appendix will not be peer-reviewed, but as part of the application it will be available to the reviewers.

• The appendix concerns research security. Other project-related risks are described as part of the research plan.

• You can not include any type of collaboration with organisations in Russia or Belarus, or with any organization/ person named on the EU sanctions list (this applies also to individuals and researchers, who represent or act on behalf of an organization on the sanctions list). For restrictions with other partner countries please use the EU's sactions list (link in the self-assessment form) and look for thematic sanctions related to your research.

• More information and all language versions of the self-assessment template: https://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply-for-funding/az-index-of-application-guidelines/research-security/

Should you have any queries, please contact me at your earliest convenience.