Swedish Research Council Supports Young Scientists

The Project Grant Junior Researchers is intended to support those starting a career in research, giving them an opportunity to construct and develop research projects. The Swedish Government has assigned the Swedish Research Council to support young scientists. Prior to 2011 we used junior and senior research positions as a means to support young researchers in natural and engineering sciences and in medicine and health.

The new employment regulations for higher education institutions that took effect in 2011 prevent research councils from employing junior and senior researchers. The higher education institutions themselves must decide on employment of all staff, with the exception of the vice chancellor. Our postdoctoral fellowships are not affected by the new rules and are available to those who received their doctorate not more than 3 years ago, which is only a portion of young scientists.

If young researchers experience more difficulty in competing successfully, this can mean a lower approval rate for women in general, since most women applying for Swedish Research Council grants are young. The Council´s gender equality strategy must be considered in all categories of funding.
 
To guarantee that funding for those starting a career in research totals at least as much as it did previously, the Swedish Research Council has decided that at least one third of the annual total for Project Research Grants and postdoctoral fellowships in each scientific council (except the Council for Research Infrastructures, RFI) should be allocated to young scientists, i.e. those who received their doctorate not more than 7 years ago (with usual considerations for parental leave, etc).

To achieve the one-third level we are offering the new type of grant, i.e. Project Research Grant for Young Scientists, in natural and engineering sciences and in medicine and health. In the other scientific areas we continue to offer the usual Project Research Grant.
 
Specifically for researchers engaged half-time in clinical work, we also offer grants for employment. This is within the scope of our assignment from the Swedish Government.
 
Frequently Asked Questions on Project Research Grants for Young Scientists
Questions and answers on Project Grant Junior Researchers
 
If your questions are not answered in our FAQ, please contact:
Elisabeth Söderström Tehler, e-mail: elisa@vr.se, Telephone: 08-546 44 229
Maria Starborg, e-mail: maria.starborg@vr.se, Telephone: 08-546 44 237