Program Overview

Introduction to the Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA)

The Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA) at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) offers a unique opportunity for researchers to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries on complex issues related to sustainable transformation. The fifth call for the IDA is now open, inviting two groups of researchers (five researchers per group) from SLU to submit proposals on themes that address scientific challenges requiring an interdisciplinary approach.

Program Details

• The program focuses on sustainable transformation, including topics such as sustainable land, water, and energy use; animal husbandry and its relation to humans; forestry, urban development, food production, carbon storage, or biodiversity; food security, urban development, or digitalization for sustainable societal transformation.
• Proposals with a Swedish, Nordic, or EU perspective on sustainability challenges (environmental, economic, and social) are prioritized, especially those related to the global context.
• Each selected group will develop their theme's questions over eight months (September to April 2027) with support from IDA's program manager, Marie Stenseke.
• The project concludes with a forward-looking activity emphasizing future questions and continued research within the theme area.

Important Dates

• January 19, 2026: The call for applications to IDA opens.
• February 4, 2026: Information, Q&A, and matchmaking (lunch webinar).
• February 11, 2026: Information, Q&A, and matchmaking (lunch webinar).
• April 29, 2026: Last day to apply for IDA.
• Mid-June: Announcement of selected theme groups for IDA.
• September 16, 2026: Presentation of results from IDA and a workshop on interdisciplinary research at SLU.
• September 1, 2026: New theme groups in IDA start their work.
• April 30, 2027: Theme groups in IDA conclude their work.
• Mid-September 2027: Final seminar for IDA with an open workshop at SLU.

About the Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA)

The Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA) at SLU was established in 2022 by the NJ Faculty and SLU Future Food to develop a long-term organization for interdisciplinary research. Since 2025, IDA has been driven by SLU Future Food together with SLU Urban Futures. The goal is to increase interest in interdisciplinary research, strengthen the ability to address research questions from a cross-disciplinary perspective, and facilitate collaborations between SLU's institutions. Seven IDA groups have been financed to date.

Research Areas

• Sustainable food systems
• Urban futures and sustainable development
• Environmental challenges and sustainability
• Interdisciplinary approaches to complex scientific questions

Conclusion

The Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA) at SLU provides a unique platform for researchers to engage in interdisciplinary research, addressing complex sustainability challenges. With its focus on collaborative research and development of long-term solutions, IDA contributes to SLU's commitment to sustainable development and interdisciplinary research excellence.