Thematic track: Return to work

Return to work is one of four thematic tracks in the call Research centre grants 2025. The overall focus of the call applies to the track.

About this track

For this track, Forte intends to fund three centres.

• Maximum amount that can be applied for: 83 million SEK
• Project start: 1 December 2025

In order to shorten the path back to work after sick leave, research is needed that takes a holistic approach and focuses on concrete solutions for individuals, healthcare providers and employers, while also addressing relevant structural conditions. Existing evidence shows that all of these factors are important for successful rehabilitation. The most common reason for sick leave is mental ill-health, which therefore is expected to constitute a significant focus within a research centre in this track.

A holistic perspective on return to work includes research on preventive and health-promoting measures, as the factors that affect return to work are often the same as those contributing to the onset of sick leave. One possible theme is how employers can improve the work environment to prevent sick leave and develop tailored adjustments that align with an individual’s needs and work ability. The individual’s motivation and expectations regarding their ability to return to work are also key factors that could be considered in the research.

There is already strong evidence that multimodal interventions, combined with workplace-based measures centred around the individual on sick leave, are effective in supporting return to work. However, many questions remain regarding the complexity of these interventions—such as which types of treatment are best matched with specific job modifications for a particular individual in their specific context. People on long-term sick leave may also face different challenges compared to those with shorter periods of absence. Furthermore, many individuals experience a combination of mental and physical health conditions, which can impact work ability and the possibility for returning to work.

The specific circumstances affecting women’s return to work require particular attention. Women are overrepresented among those on sick leave due to stress-related mental health issues and are often employed in sectors with poorer work environment. Expectations around caregiving and domestic responsibilities can also hinder women’s return to work.

Structural factors also influence sick leave rates, including the functioning of the labour market, the social insurance system, rehabilitation legislation, and the organisation of healthcare and occupational health services. Research may therefore include aspects of how the return-to-work process is coordinated.

The research centres may address several themes or focus more narrowly on one or a few.

To ensure that the research addresses relevant questions and is applicable in various settings, the centres are expected to engage in extensive collaboration and co-creation processes. This includes involving workplaces, healthcare providers and public authorities in relevant parts of the research. An additional benefit of this approach is that the capacity of these organisations to collaborate with researchers and to implement evidence-based methods is strengthened over time.