Call for Projects in Sustainable Finance - Research Grants awarded by the CSF

Call for Projects - Announcement

The Center for Sustainable Finance (CSF) at the Católica-Lisbon School of Business and Economics invites PhD-holding researchers to apply for research grants supporting academic projects in Sustainable Finance. The CSF intends to award 4 grants of €10,000 each.

The call prioritizes projects focused on the pricing of climate-related externalities - such as carbon emissions, water and biodiversity loss - and the developing markets for trading these externalities. However, applications on any topic related to Sustainable Finance will be considered. Strong preference is given to projects that involve collaboration with academic institutions with partnerships with Católica-Lisbon, in accordance with the rules of this Call.

Early-career researchers without a published research track record are encouraged to apply.

The deadline for applications is April 30th, 2025. All required materials, as outlined in the call’s guidelines, should be submitted to [email protected]. Award winners are expected to be announced in June 2025.

Call for Projects - Rules

Article 1 – Application Requirements and Procedure

Applicants must submit:

• a CV detailing their research achievements and current and past academic affiliations.
• A research project proposal, specifying:
  • The research question and its relevance within the existent literature.
  • The data requirements needed to test the research question.
  • The empirical methodologies planned for the study.
  • The expected contribution to advancing knowledge in the field of sustainable finance.
  • Any planned visiting periods at Católica-Lisbon in the coming years.
  • Any prospective collaborations, particularly with preferable groups, as mentioned in the announcement and these rules.

All documents must be submitted by April 30th, 2025, via email to [email protected], using the subject line: “Awards2025_lastname_firstname”. All file names should follow the format: “Awards2025_lastname_firstname_docname”.

Article 2 – Research Grant Amount

• The standard grant amount for selected projects is 10,000 euros; though the final amount may vary depending on the project’s quality, scope and resource requirements.
• The full grant will be paid upon successful selection.
• Grant recipients have full discretion over the use of the funds.
• The final grant amount may be subject to deductions for applicable taxes or fees that the Center is legally required to pay.

Article 3 – Obligations of Grant recipients

• Recipients will be designated as Research Associates of the CSF for a period of 4 years.
• Recipients must submit a progress report on their projects to the Scientific Advisory Council of the CSF six months after receiving the grant.
• Within 12 months, recipients are expected to:
  • Produce a working paper with preliminary results.
  • Present their findings to members of the CSF and invited guests.
• All presentations, working papers, and published articles resulting from the grant must:
  • Acknowledge financial support from the CSF.
  • State their affiliation with the CSF as Research Associates.

Article 4 – Selection Criteria

The Scientific Advisory Council of the CSF will evaluate applications, prioritizing projects that:

• Focus on pricing climate-related externalities - such as carbon emissions, water and biodiversity loss - and the development of markets for trading these externalities.
• Are led by researchers affiliated with partner institutions of Católica Lisbon or members of research networks in which Católica-Lisbon participates.
• Include co-authorships with researchers from Católica-Lisbon.
• Feature planned visits to Católica-Lisbon for interaction with faculty, students, and alumni.