This call for proposals should increase knowledge within Forte’s main areas: health, working life, and welfare. In total, around SEK 90 million is reserved for the period 2024–2026. The grant replaces the national and international postdoc grants.

Focus area

Forte’s call for starting grants is open to applications within our areas health, working life and welfare. The starting grant is aimed at researchers in the beginning of their research career, with the purpose of promoting establishment and independence in research.

About the grant

Junior researchers can apply for a starting grant to conduct their own research project, lasting up to three years. In contrast to the postdoc grant, which had a fixed amount and was intended for a full-time position, the starting grant is flexible both in terms of budget and the level of dedicated time. You can apply for a maximum of SEK 1,25 million per year, and your dedicated time for the project must be at least 50 percent of full time.

Grant limit

Maximum SEK 3,75 million for three-year projects and SEK 2,5 million for two-year projects. Please note that the grant limit includes indirect costs (OH).

Applications exceeding the specified grant limit will be rejected.

Eligibility requirements

As applicant you are required to hold a doctoral degree at the time of application, issued no later than the closing date of the call. You can apply for a starting grant up to three years after receiving your doctoral degree, counted from the closing date of the call for proposals.

The project leader in the application for a starting grant must have an activity level in the project of at least 50% of full time.

Applications where the activity level is below 50% will be rejected.

The review process

Once you have submitted your application, it is handed over to Forte’s review panels for assessment. The review panels are composed of Nordic researchers and Swedish society representatives. Based on their assessment, Forte’s board makes the final decisions on which applications will be granted.

To be eligible for funding from Forte, applications must be of high scientific quality, societal relevance and feasibility. Applications are assessed against our general assessment criteria and general requirements. The assessment is an overall assessment that weighs up all the criteria and requirements and relates them to the call and its objectives. Read more in the documents below.

Schedule

The call opens: 24 January 2023, 10.00 CET
The call closes: 21 March 2023, 14.00 CET
Forte’s board decides on funding: 16 June 2023
Decisions are published: 19 June 2023
Project start: 1 January 2024