In this call, you can apply for project grants within the framework of Forte’s ten-year research program on mental health. A project grant should facilitate the implementation of a defined research project designed to contribute to increased knowledge in line with the call´s purpose. A total of approximately SEK 80 million is allocated, and you may apply for a maximum of SEK 5 million for three-year projects and SEK 6 million for four-year projects.

Clarification 4 December 2024: Please note that applications under this call for proposals may be written in Swedish or English. The assessment is not affected by the choice of language for the application.

Background and purpose

Psychiatric conditions are a more serious form of mental ill-health and encompass a variety of mental illnesses and syndromes that each fulfil the requirements for a psychiatric diagnosis. Examples include psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, self-harm, depression, anxiety disorders, personality disorders and suicidal disorders. This call aims to increase knowledge in the research field, close knowledge gaps and strengthen research on issues concerning people who suffers the most.

Applications under this call should address one or more of the following areas:

  • Causes and mechanisms of development of psychiatric conditions and suicide
    This includes research on the causes and mechanisms of the development of psychiatric conditions, as well as knowledge of the factors influencing the risk of suicide and how suicide can be prevented. Research may also address the grey area between mental disorders and psychiatric conditions.
  • Methods and interventions for people with mental ill-health and illness
    This area includes practice-orientated research focusing on interventions, treatments and development of methods for mental ill-health and illness. How evidence-based methods can be put into practice and how interventions can be coordinated for people with severe psychiatric problems, for example in the form of comorbidity, is of particular interest. A holistic perspective and knowledge of how inequalities in health and care can be reduced, how individuals’ participation in the entire care chain can be enhanced, and how implementation and utilisation can be promoted are also relevant.
  • Organisation and conditions of the health and social care system
    This includes research on what is needed to improve the organisation and conditions for services such as child and adolescent psychiatry. How the care chain and its organisation can be made more appropriate in terms of, for example, tiered care and first-line collaboration with specialised care, and what conditions are needed for an appropriate supply of qualified staff in mental health services are also of interest.

The research can cover all age groups, and the research project applicant can focus on one or more of the areas and should include a sex and gender perspective when applicable. A user, patient, family member, and child/youth perspective is also important. We would like to see an interdisciplinary and/or multidisciplinary approach in the applications, and we see both a great need and good opportunities for collaboration in the research to increase relevance and opportunities for utilisation. Collaboration in the research process can take different forms, but we encourage close collaboration with stakeholders who are affected by the research and who can contribute important experiences and perspectives. Forte favours cross-sectoral collaboration and links with local or regional operators, where relevant. Forte also encourages international links, but the research needs to be relevant in a Swedish context.

About the call for proposals

Grant type

Project grant. Grants may be applied for by individual researchers as well as research groups.

Budget

For this call a budget of about SEK 80 million is available.

Number of applications

No more than one application per main applicant is permitted within this call for proposals. As a participating researcher you may participate in more than one application.

Project duration

Funding may be sought for 3 or 4 years.

Funding amounts

You may apply for a maximum of SEK 5 million for three-year projects and SEK 6 million for four-year projects. Please note that the maximum amount includes so called indirect costs/overheads (OH). Applications that exceed the specified limit will be rejected.

Schedule

Call opens: 19 November 2024, 10.00 CET
Call closes: 13 February 2025, 14.00 CET
Decisions published: To be announced
Project start: 1 July 2025