The TalTech School of Business and Governance has joined the international research and doctoral training project DREAM+PLAN (Driving Climate Positive Futures). The project is aimed at shaping a climate-positive future and supporting changemakers who connect science, business, and innovation. The programme brings together doctoral students and supervisors who wish to contribute to building a more sustainable, just and inclusive future through their work and expertise. Funded by the European Commission under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND scheme, it is coordinated by RMIT University in Australia.
The programme focuses on three critical topics in the context of climate change and environmental challenges: resilience, restoration, and regeneration. DREAM+PLAN brings together universities, businesses and organisations from Europe and Australia to promote research and expertise in these areas. A total of 32 doctoral positions have been created, several of which offer the opportunity to obtain a double doctoral degree.
Four doctoral positions have been established within TalTech’s School of Business and Governance, enabling candidates to earn a double PhD degree from Tallinn University of Technology and RMIT University. The programme emphasises interdisciplinarity, internationalisation, and intersectoral collaboration, forming the basis of the 3i research training approach.
The first doctoral researchers have already arrived. Early Stage Researcher Selma Fitri Ayuanshari (supervisors: Aki Harima and Merle Küttim) started at the School of Business and Governance on 1 September 2025, working in the Department of Business Administration. “Starting the DREAM+PLAN programme has already been an eye-opening experience. Learning alongside peers from diverse backgrounds and connecting with doctoral candidates from nine partner universities while based at TalTech and co-enrolled at RMIT is an incredible opportunity to grow and shape my research on sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystems,” she said.
In early October, two more doctoral researchers were enrolled: Victoria Kozlova in the Department of Law, supervised by Thomas Hoffmann and Archil Chochia, and John Warren Tamor in the Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance, supervised by Peeter Vihma and Ralf-Martin Soe. All three are already actively involved in programme activities.
From 14 to 16 October, the new doctoral researchers attended the DREAM+PLAN kick-off meeting in Helsinki. There, they met their fellow doctoral candidates and supervisors, built networks and got acquainted with the programme, as well as planned future collaborations. They also met representatives from the Finnish Ministry of the Environment, Sitra, Metsä and many others, who offered real-life insights into how sustainability is implemented in practice.
"It's incredibly reassuring to be part of such a large, international doctoral network. Although the PhD journey is often portrayed as solitary, being part of the DREAM + PLAN community shows that it doesn't have to be," John remarked.
Victoria added, 'The opening event in Helsinki was truly inspiring and memorable, especially as it was my first time in the city. I was inspired by the openness, empathy and critical thinking that shaped our discussions, as well as by the opportunity to connect with people from such diverse fields, ranging from chemistry to sociology. The programme feels like the right fit so far, and I’m looking forward to continuing this journey and hopefully building a solid foundation for radical change with the DREAM+PLAN fellows.”
Participation in DREAM+PLAN strengthens TalTech's international research collaborations and enables the development of new, climate-focused research directions. The programme enables the university to offer its doctoral students
high-quality supervision, modern training opportunities, and greater visibility in the field of interdisciplinary climate research.
The School of Business and Governance has signed a five-year collaboration agreement, which will run until 2030. Contribution to TalTech as a partner amounts to €420 000, and together with the School's own funding, nearly one million euros will be available to support the doctoral candidates. The project is led by the Dean of the School of Business and Governance, Mari Avarmaa.
Further information on the programme structure and activities: www.dreamplusplan.eu