Frequently asked questions about Swedish Research Links Programme 2009

Which countries are included in the Swedish Research Links programme?


The programme countries are Sweden, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and those countries in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa that are included in the OECD´s List of Recipients of Official Development Assistance (the DAC List of ODA Recipients, www.oecd.org/dac/stats/daclistlänk till annan webbplats).
The programme countries are listed in the Guidelines for Applicants, p. 3.
Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Myanmar( Burma ) and Turkmenistan are not included in the programme.

How large are the grants?


The maximum Links grant that may be applied for is of SEK 250,000 a year for three years, i.e. a maximum total of SEK 750,000, to be divided between the collaborating parties. You can also apply for a planning grant of SEK 75,000.

What purposes are the grants available for?


Grants may be applied for to cover the extra costs of international research collaboration: travel and accommodation for mutual visits within the scope of the collaboration; joint workshops and seminars, and publication of jointly written articles and books. You can also apply for grants for minor items of equipment and materials. Salary costs are not funded.

How long are the grants available for?


The collaborative research grant is for three years. The planning grant is for one year.

Who can apply for the grants?


Applications are made jointly by researchers in Sweden and in the collaborating programme countries. The applicants must be postdoctoral researchers associated with universities, or other higher education or research institutions, in Sweden and in the respective collaborating country. It is important for all the applicants to be associated with a research institution.

How can I find a collaborative research partner?


Researchers wishing to apply to the Research Links Programme must themselves establish contact with researchers in another programme country. The Swedish Research Council and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) do not provide match-making between researchers. For foreign researchers wishing to make contact with researchers in Sweden, see the National Agency for Higher Education list of higher education institutions in Swedenlänk till annan webbplats.

Can I apply for an extension grant for the same collaboration?


No, there are no extension grants in the Links programme. The aim of the programme is to establish a basis for long-term cooperation between scientists whose collaboration has not been previously granted by Swedish Research Links. Hence, the grant should be conceived of as a starting grant or ‘seed money´, not a long-term support.

Should I include Administrative costs (OH) in the applied budget?


The Swedish Research Council is obliged to pay the administrative costs (OH) to the universities in Sweden. These administrative costs are not added on top of the amount funded. They must be included in the budget applied for by the Swedish partner.

 

How difficult is it to obtain funding through Research Links?


The approval rate has been high in the past few years: almost half of all applications have been granted funds.

How do you apply for a Research Links grant?


Joint applications are submitted by researchers in Sweden and researchers in the collaborating countries.  Applications are submitted online at the Swedish Research Council´s website http://vrdirect.vr.selänk till annan webbplats and you can read more about the program at www.vr.se.länk till annan webbplats

When the application is submitted online, a special appendix (Appendix S) is generated. This should be printed out and signed by all the applicants and their respective heads of department (or equivalent) in Sweden and the collaborating countries. The printout of Appendix S, complete with signatures, must then be posted to the Swedish Research Council and received 16th of May the latest. In case the signed Appendix S is faxed or scanned and e-mailed to the Swedish Research Council, the original Appendix S, complete with signatures, must be received by the Council on 16 June 2009 at the latest, otherwise the application will be disqualified.

Can I send in more than one application?


The evaluation panel is restrictive. In general, it is not worthwhile sending in more than one application. If you nonetheless choose to do so, the applications should be within different regional programme areas.

When is the last date for applications?


The closing application date is 6 May 2009.

Where are the decisions announced?


The decisions will be announced on the Swedish Research Council´s website not later than 1 December 2009.

When will the grants be disbursed?


The funds granted will be disbursed in early 2010.
Sidansvarig: Marie Hillerby
Senast uppdaterad: 2010-02-12
No call for the Swedish Research Links programme 2010
The programme will be evaluated during 2010 and there will be no call during this year. Information concerning a possible call 2011 for the Swedish Research Links programme will be published on the website in the middle of October 2010 at the earliest.
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Box 1035, 101 38  Stockholm
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