Starting with the 2022 call period, Forte’s annual open call for proposals will change. The application process for project grants will be transformed into a one-step process, the junior researcher grant will be removed, and postdoctoral grants will become an independent call for proposals.

For many years, Forte’s annual open call for proposals has offered project grants, postdoc grants and junior researcher grants to researchers in Forte’s fields. A reform of the annual open call for proposals is now underway, with the aim of improving the feedback to all applicants and creating a strengthened and coherent postdoc initiative.

The call for proposals will be divided into two separate calls: an annual call for proposals for project grants, as well as an annual call for proposals for national and international postdoc grants.

New application process for project grants

Application in a single step

The application process for project grants, which previously took place in a two-step process, is being transformed into a one-step process. The call for proposals will open in December and close in February of each year. A complete application must have been submitted to Forte by that deadline.

Restrictions regarding parallel grants

Forte is introducing rules that make anyone who already has an ongoing project grant from Forte ineligible to apply for a new project grant in the annual call for proposals for project grants. The restriction applies regardless of the call in which the funding was granted (with the exception of international collaboration calls).

The restriction applies only to the project grants. This means that, e.g., ongoing programme grants, junior researcher grants, network grants or other types of grants do not constitute an obstacle to application.

New and cohesive postdoc initiative

Postdoc grants are a popular form of grant and an important tool to support junior researchers and promote researcher mobility. Forte has previously offered national postdoc grants within the annual open call for proposals, and international postdoc grants within Forte’s international postdoc programme. These initiatives are now being merged into a single, coherent annual call for proposals. This call will be independent of the annual open call for proposals for project grants.

The call for proposals will offer three grant types: national postdoc, incoming postdoc and outgoing postdoc. The application period is open from December to February.

The junior researcher grant is being phased out

From 2022, Forte will no longer offer the grant form known as the junior researcher grant. This grant form was intended to promote the establishment of researchers who recently obtained their doctoral degrees and was announced annually within the framework of the annual open call for proposals. However, a study conducted by Forte shows that junior researchers who apply for regular project grants distinguish themselves very well in competition with more senior researchers.

Time plan

Annual open call for proposals for project grants

Opens: First half of December 2021

Closes: First half of February 2021

Decisions: October 2022

Project start: 1 January 2023

Annual open call for proposals for postdoc grants

Opens: First half of December 2021

Closes: Second half of February 2022

Decisions: May 2022

Project start: 1 January 2023