COVID–19

High quality and good opportunities to contribute to societal benefits summarise the applications approved within the research initiatives for post-COVID syndrome and follow-up studies of COVID-19 vaccines. In relation to studies of COVID-19 vaccines, more targeted initiatives may be needed. This emerges from the reports on the mandates, which are now completed.

The Swedish Research Council is allocating 50 million SEK to 14 research projects into post-COVID syndrome. The research shall contribute to developing knowledge within health and medical care, and improving diagnosis and therapy alternatives for patients with long-term symptoms following COVID-19.

Six research environments will share a total of 100 million SEK for follow-up studies of COVID-19 vaccines. The research environments are based on collaborations between different regions, and will focus on different aspects of health and medical care needs.

More knowledge about new varieties of coronavirus is urgently needed. The European Commission is therefore mobilising €123 million from Horizon Europe for four calls focusing on COVID-19 and new variants of the coronavirus. The last application date for all calls is 6 May 2021.

Ensure that clinically active personnel have more time for research, and create financial incentives that promote infrastructure, competence provision and national coordination in clinical research. These are some of the Swedish Research Council’s eight recommendations for increasing Sweden’s capacity to conduct clinical studies during normal circumstances as well as in crisis situations.

On 23 March, we are opening a call for research environment grant for follow-up studies of COVID-19 vaccines. You can already read our advance information and start preparing the application.