The Programme

In 1999 the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) launched the Social-ecological Research programme(SÖF).Social-ecological Research is a new kind of practice- and problem-oriented research which focuses on sustainability issues at the interface between nature and society. Diverse topics such as material flows or social transformation are analyzed with the objective of developing strategic measures for a sustainable future.

Organisation Chart
Funding Instruments
Accompanying Measures

Since the 1990s the scientific technical orientation in the German environmental research has been criticized and a stronger focus on social issues has been called for. Since solving environmental issues is always linked to human actions, aspects of the social and cultural sciences need to be integrated into environmental research.

In 1999 the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) launched the Social-ecological Research programme (SÖF) by funding exploratory projects. Since then, the programme has received  approximately seven million Euros in funding each year and currently comprises 16 collaborative thematic research projects and 8 infrastructure projects. Further junior research groups will be funded soon.

Social-ecological Research is a new kind of practice- and problem-oriented research which focuses on sustainability issues at the interface between nature and society. Diverse topics such as material flows or social transformation are analyzed with the objective of developing strategic measures for a sustainable future.

Social-ecological Research within the framework programme "Research for Sustainability" (fona)  is part of the national strategy for sustainable development of the German federal government. Researchers work on both theoretical methodological concepts and practical action strategies for implementing the national strategy for sustainable development. The projects develop their solutions by including social actors in the research process and finally make their results available for stakeholders. 

Organisation Chart

Funding Instruments

There are three different funding instruments:

INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

Infrastructure funding supports small non-profit research institutions which provide specific knowledge in the field of integrative transdisciplinary environmental research. The aim is to strengthen the transfer of this knowledge and networking.

FUNDING FOR JUNIOR RESEARCHERS

By systematically funding junior researchers in interdisciplinary groups, excellent scientists are given the chance to achieve further qualification in the field of inter- and transdisciplinary research.

THEMATIC RESEARCH FUNDING

The topic-based project funding focuses on current societal problems which occur due to the conflict between the social and environmental system. The following topics have been funded since the start of the programme in 2001:

• From  Knowledge to Action: New Paths towards Sustainable Consumption.    
• Strategies for Coping with Systemic Risks.
• Sustainable Development in the Field of 'Environment - Nutrition - Health': Long-term Strategies for Sustainable Consumption.
• Social-ecological Transformation in Supply and Disposal Systems.
• Social-ecological Transformation in Urban and Rural Areas.
• Political Strategies for Coping with Environmental Problems - from Local to Gobal Level.

Accompanying Measures

Several accompanying measures have been set up in order to assure the quality and public perception of the SÖF:

• From the beginning the SÖF has been accompanied by an advisory committee consisting of 11 renowned academic experts and practitioners.
• Since 2003: The individual funding instruments are evaluated by an independent external  evaluation committee.
• Since June 2004: Cross-project networking and public presentation is supported by the Science and Society Coordination Office.