Its objectives are to:
(i) unite, structure, and sustain integrated research supporting changes in forest socio-ecosystems,
(ii) promote systemic approaches, interdisciplinarity, and co-construction with stakeholders,
(iii) strengthen capacities for initial and ongoing training, and
(iv) propose and experiment with innovative pathways for adaptive management, restoration, and conservation of forests.

FORESTT is structured around three pillars: a coordination and governance project, five targeted projects (PC), and research projects to be selected via this call for proposals. These are designed to address the four scientific challenges (DS) defined in the PEPR framework document :

• DS Governance: "Societal challenges of the socio-ecological transition of forests";
• DS Bioeconomy: "Development of a circular and agile bioeconomy based on wood and its derivatives";
• DS Resilience: "Adaptation and resilience of forest ecosystems";
• DS Monitoring: "Use of monitoring and experimental systems to foster scientific discoveries, guide forest management, and support forest policy decision-making."

The PEPR FORESTT is launching a call for research proposals to address these four scientific challenges and complement its research framework, which already includes five defined targeted projects. The total budget for the PEPR is €40 million, with this call allocated a total envelope of €12 million.

Evaluation Process

The evaluation process for the proposals will be managed by the ANR (French National Research Agency). Each selected project will receive funding between €800,000 and €1,200,000, with a maximum duration of four years. Each scientist may only lead one research project funded under this PEPR.

Eligible beneficiaries include French higher education and/or research institutions or consortia of such institutions. Private institutions contributing to public higher education and research missions, under Article L.732-1 of the French Education Code, may receive funding subject to analysis by the ANR, approval by the MESR (Ministry of Higher Education and Research), and validation by the SGPI (General Secretariat for Investment). International academic partners and national socio-economic actors may participate in projects but will not be eligible for funding under this programme.

Proposals must be collaborative, involving at least three national research teams from different research units, which may belong to the same institutional structure.

Timeline

Webinars presenting the call for proposals were held on 13, 14, and 15 November 2024, bringing together approximately 90 participants.

• Presentation materials: [HERE].
• Video recordings available on the PEPR FORESTT YouTube channel: [HERE].

Deadline for submitting applications: 30 January 2025, 11:00 AM.

Then :

• Evaluation by an independent international jury convened under the aegis of the ANR: February to May 2025
• Project leaders' hearings (optional, at the jury's discretion): April 15 to 17, 2025
• Announcement of call for projects results: End of May 2025

Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

An FAQ has been created to address questions about this call for proposals. It includes responses to questions raised by the 90 participants during the three webinars held on 13, 14, and 15 November 2024.

Projects Submitted to the Open Call for Expressions of Interest (April–July 2024)

• Find the projects submitted via the ANR platform: [List of Projects].
• Additional projects not submitted but shared with the PEPR management: [List of Projects].
  (Listed projects have agreed to be included)