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→ Deadline: January 16th 2026
About the Call
About the Call
The CASTAL project is launching a Call for Secondary Studies on Local Sustainability Transition to promote the use of the CASTAL Atlas and to support innovative, data-driven analyses of sustainability transitions across Europe.
The call invites researchers and practitioners to develop short, focused secondary studies based on the case studies and structured metadata collected within the CASTAL Atlas. By reusing and analysing existing materials, these studies aim to generate new insights on how local sustainability transitions are designed, governed, and implemented in different territorial and sectoral contexts.
Secondary studies play a key role in the CASTAL project. They contribute to testing and validating the Atlas as a research and policy-support tool, while at the same time expanding knowledge on Local Sustainability Transitions (LST) in domains such as energy, mobility, climate, and related socio-technical transformations.
Selected studies will be published through the CASTAL Web Portal and the Open Access Repository (Zenodo), strengthening the visibility, reuse, and impact of research results. Through this call, CASTAL seeks to foster an open and collaborative research environment that connects scientific inquiry, policy-relevant analysis, and practical knowledge on sustainability transitions.
Key Information
Key Information
12 Dec 2025 Call Opens
16 Jan 2026 Application Deadline
2 Feb 2026 Results published
15 Feb 2026 Studies Start
30 Jun 2026 Studies End
> Funded Studies: 10
> Language: English
> Contribution: 1,000€ per study
What We Are Looking For
What We Are Looking For
Through this call, CASTAL is looking for short, high-quality secondary studies that make effective and innovative use of the CASTAL Atlas and its collection of European case studies on local sustainability transitions.
Applicants are invited to propose one of the following three types of studies:
Scientific Studies
Scientific Studies
Scientific Studies aim to advance academic knowledge on Local Sustainability Transitions (LST). These studies should contribute to ongoing scholarly debates by developing conceptual, theoretical, or empirically grounded analyses based on the comparison or reinterpretation of existing case studies archived in CASTAL. Contributions may address drivers, barriers, governance arrangements, social dynamics, or outcomes of sustainability transitions at the local level.
Knowledge Brokering Studies
Knowledge Brokering Studies
Knowledge Brokering Studies focus on bridging research and practice. They are expected to translate insights from the CASTAL Atlas into actionable knowledge and recommendations for local authorities, policymakers, and practitioners. These studies should highlight lessons learned, good practices, and transferable approaches that can support decision-making and implementation processes in local sustainability transitions.
State of the Art Studies
State of the Art Studies
State of the Art Studies aim to provide structured overviews and syntheses of existing knowledge on specific themes related to Local Sustainability Transitions. By systematically analysing and comparing CASTAL case studies, these contributions should support EU-level policy discussions and stakeholder engagement, identifying emerging trends, gaps, and priorities for future research and policy development.
How To Apply
How To Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the CASTAL website.
To apply, candidates are required to complete the online application form in all its sections and upload the following documents:
Curriculum Vitae in EU format
Study proposal abstract (maximum 300 words, in English), including:
title of the proposed study
up to five keywords
objectives and research questions
methodological approach
main arguments and expected contribution
Short biographical note, outlining the applicant’s background and interest in the proposed topic
Only complete applications submitted within the deadline, and respecting the eligibility criteria, will be considered for evaluation. The application form will be available on the CASTAL website during the open call period. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Webinar: Presentation of the CASTAL Call for Secondary Studies
Webinar: Presentation of the CASTAL Call for Secondary Studies
To support potential applicants and further explain the aims and opportunities of the CASTAL Call for Secondary Studies on Local Sustainability Transitions, we hosted a dedicated webinar presentation. In this session, the CASTAL project team walked through the key objectives of the call, detailed the submission process, and shared practical guidance to help you prepare a successful proposal.
Whether you are interested in Scientific Studies, Knowledge Brokering, or State of the Art Studies, this recorded webinar provides a clear overview of what the call seeks to achieve and answers to many frequently asked questions.
📺 Watch the full webinar recording here:
We encourage all prospective applicants to watch the recording to gain insights from the presentation and better understand how to make the most of the CASTAL Atlas for innovative research.
Contacts
Contacts
For any questions or requests for clarification regarding the application process, applicants may contact:
Daniele Mezzana – mezzana@knowledge-innovation.org
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