The involvement of nonacademic partners in societally-targeted funded research

Abstract This article explores the involvement of nonacademic partners in societally-targeted funded research that is aimed at addressing societal challenges. A key dimension of these societally-targeted funding programmes is transdisciplinarity, understood as the emphasis on potential cooperative problem-solving and value creation through the integration of nonacademic actors into research processes. Drawing on the experiences of nonacademic participants in diverse research areas and national contexts, the study provides a nuanced understanding of such collaborative dynamics, focusing on three aspects: bridging diverse knowledge perspectives, active participation in knowledge co-production processes, and the practical utilization of collaboratively generated knowledge. Our exploration suggests that societally-targeted funding schemes played a pivotal role in enabling collaborations. While nonacademic actors contributed meaningfully, their focus often prioritized organizational benefits over societal goals. Additionally, factors such as cognitive proximity, R&D capacity, prior experience, and the extent of funding received shaped the degree and form of nonacademic involvement.