Swedish Research Council’s new plans to support excellence

The Swedish Research Council has proposed stimulating groundbreaking research through two new types of grants. In addition, they plan to support centres of research excellence by funding ‘distinguished institutes’.

New grants for groundbreaking research

Two new grants have been proposed. One grant has the working title “Exploratory grant with the possibility of continuation funding” and will give researchers the opportunity to test their groundbreaking ideas over a short period. The second grant, with the working title “Transformative grant”, will enable excellent researchers to devote a longer period of time to developing a project with high potential for groundbreaking breakthroughs.

Both grants are intended to stimulate bold research approaches with the potential for major scientific breakthroughs, and both will be open to applications in all research areas. The ambition is that researchers should dare to pursue bold ideas without risking their ongoing research or career.

Distinguished institutes for exceptionally well-developed research environments

From 2027, VR will announce funds for ‘distinguished institutes’, with the aim to support well-developed research environments – centres of excellence or other similar centres. In each call, three institutes will be funded and each of them will receive SEK 15 million per year for five years, with the possibility of continued funding at least at the same level for five-year periods.

More information:

Proposal: Two new grants for groundbreaking research

More about Distinguished institutes for exceptionally well-developed research environments