Funding and academic positions in Sweden

Sweden is one of the very top countries for investment in research and development in relation to GDP. Most major funding bodies, both public and private, offer grants that can be applied for by international researchers.

What type of funding is available?

In Sweden, research is funded via companies, universities, and public and private research funding bodies. 30 per cent of the research is publicly funded.

Grants aimed at international researchers

Most major funding bodies, both public and private, offer grants that can be applied for by international researchers, on certain conditions. Read more on the respective funding bodies’ websites.

The Swedish Research Council’s undirected project grants

The Swedish Research Council is the largest public funding body for research at Swedish universities and higher education institutions, and funds research in all scientific fields. 86 per cent of the Swedish Research Council’s funding went to undirected project grants last year.

The purpose of project grants is to give researchers the freedom to formulate their own research concepts, methods, and implementation. Up to 6 participating researchers can be included in the application. They do not have to be active in Sweden.

What are the criteria for getting funding?

To apply for public funding in Sweden, you will normally have to be linked to a research-producing organisation, which is also responsible for and administers the funding, such as a higher education institution. Some funding bodies require you to show proof of employment when applying.

You will also need a residence permit for research

Open calls aimed at researchers from the US

Forte – Visiting researcher grant US 2026

On 4 November, Forte (Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare) opened a call for incoming visiting researchers from the United States.

The call is intended for researchers at a Swedish research institution who plan to invite a researcher affiliated with a research institution in the United States. The application must be submitted by the person at the Swedish host institution who has the primary responsibility for the visiting researcher’s stay in Sweden.

Swedish Cancer Society – research grant for researchers from the US

Swedish universities can apply for a 3–5 year research grant to recruit an established researcher currently working in the US to a position in Sweden within the field of cancer research. The application deadline is 30 October 2025.

Open call for recruiting international visiting researchers to Sweden

The Swedish Research Council has an open call for grants of 2 million SEK for higher education institutions wishing to recruit prominent international visiting researchers. Applications from higher education institutions can be made until December 2025. Please make direct contact with the higher education institution you are interested in.

Grant for recruiting international visiting researchers to Sweden

The Knowledge Foundation offers funding for recruitment of international researchers, adjunct professors or senior lecturers

The Capacity building programme at the Knowledge Foundation supports Swedish universities in developing research and education through new collaborations. Funding is available for recruiting international guest researchers appointing adjunct professors or senior lecturers, with placement at a university or at a business partner. Please contact the higher education institution you are interested in directly.

The largest research funding bodies in Sweden

The largest private and public research funding bodies are listed below, roughly divided up according to their research and innovation fields. Many of them cover several fields.