Academy Programme for Sport Science and Physical Activity (ACTIVE)
Academy Programme for Sport Science and Physical Activity (ACTIVE) supports research teams and consortia studying exercise and sport to address societal and public health challenges and inform policy and practice.
Funder: Research Council of Finland
Due Dates: October 21, 2026 (Call opens) | November 18, 2026 (Application) | December 2, 2026 (Research-site commitment)
Funding Amounts: Up to €450,000 per individual project or €650,000 per consortium for 36 months; €2.45 million call budget
Summary: Supports sport and physical activity research addressing societal and public health challenges and informing policy and practice.
Key Information: Applicants need a close connection with Finland and a Finnish research organisation as their research site.
Description
ACTIVE is run by the Research Council of Finland in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Culture. It funds individual research teams and consortia producing new knowledge about physical activity, exercise and sport. Projects should combine scientific quality, novelty and innovation with scientific and societal impact, including applicability to planning, decision-making or practical promotion of physical activity.
The programme covers active lifestyles, physical fitness and exercise effects; equitable access, inclusion, community, accountability and environmental sustainability; and results and ethics in competitive and elite sport. It values multidisciplinary research, national and international cooperation, attention to societal change, and interaction with users of research findings throughout the project lifecycle. Its goals include sustainable development and impact across population groups and amateur and professional activity.
