ESS26 - Resilience and Crises / Key Facts

Scope of the Call in a Nutshell

This call invites researchers to submit proposals for exploratory, interdisciplinary research projects that advance the conceptualization of resilience in relation to selected crises—primarily with regard to their societal dimensions. The project must be led by a social scientist. Projects should initiate structured collaboration with other scientific disciplines and with relevant practitioner communities, and employ methodological approaches capable of anticipating potential future crises.

This call is part of a two-phase funding activity. Projects funded in phase one will be invited to submit a further project proposal for larger projects once the exploratory projects are concluded (see outlook at the end of this document). The call for phase two is expected in early 2028 once all projects of phase one have finished.    

Who can apply?

• An interdisciplinary team of 2-3 researchers led by a social scientist as PI & Coordinator (PI&C). 
  
• The PI&C must be based at a university or research institute in Vienna.
• Co-PIs may be based outside of Vienna (funding limited to 20% of total budget).
• Co-PIs with an affiliation to an institution in Lower Austria may apply for up to 49% of the overall budget (Joint Project).

Project Duration

12-18 months

Funding

• Call budget: € 2 million.
• Project budget: € 50,000 to € 100,000.
• Personnel and non-personnel costs may be claimed.
• Maximum 50% non-personnel costs.
• Up to 20% overhead costs may be claimed.

Timeline

• Proposal deadline: June 17, 2026, 2pm CET 
  
• Expected funding decision: October 2026.

• Project start: January 2027.

Process

• One-stage selection process
• Selection by an international jury (no external review process)
  
• Application via WWTF Funding Portal 

Upcoming Events and Workshops

WWTF is organising two events to provide a networking platform for potential project collaborations and to introduce anticipatory methods which are central to this call. 

Matchmaking and Networking Event on March 23!

Date: March 23, 2026, 13:00-17:00. Venue: Albert-Schweitzer-Haus, Schwarzspanierstraße 13, 1090 Wien.

Please save the date!

The main purpose of the event is networking to find interesting partners for potential collaboration. WWTF will provide  a platform for registration and matchmaking in mid-February. Please check back soon!

If you have specific questions about the call and the submission process, refer to the next event:

Call Info Session!

The Info Session will provide an introduction to the call and the requirements for successfully submitting a proposal. WWTF will give a presentation, followed by a Q&A session. Please note that if you are unable to participate, you can contact the call manager by email and phone. 

Date: April 24, 2026 , 10:00-12:00; online via Zoom
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88940626855?pwd=S8Wj3paDRxu6z7KYilBAb7uo34pJxY.1

Meeting-ID: 889 4062 6855
Kenncode: 581440

Foresight Workshops!

The call specifications require applicants to engage with potential future crisis scenarios and methods for dealing with them. WWTF offers support in the form of a workshop, introducing methods for anticipatory techniques for the social sciences. 

The workshops will take place on. Please save the date!

• Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 13:00-16:00 
• Thursday, April 9, 2026, 9:00-12:00 

The workshop is intended to support researchers new to these methods. Participation is not mandatory in order to submit a proposal. Furthermore, the methods presented at the workshops are exemplary. Other methods may also be chosen for the proposal.