RFPs: Industrial Doctoral Student Grant Program (Sweden)

Deadline: 13-May-2026

The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) offers the Industrial Doctoral Student Grant to fund research and postgraduate studies through collaboration between academia and industry. Grants provide SEK 3.25 million per project to support doctoral students in natural science, engineering, or medicine, with shared costs between the university and industrial partner. Applications are due May 13, 2026, and projects must start between January 1 and June 30, 2027.

Program Overview

The Industrial Doctoral Student Grant Program supports demand-driven, high-quality research while fostering collaboration between universities and industrial partners. It trains PhD graduates who are strategically relevant and competitive for industrial innovation in Sweden. The program encourages cross-fertilization between academia and industry and strengthens societal and industrial impact.

Key Objectives

The grant aims to:

• Support research and postgraduate studies in natural science, engineering, or medicine.

• Promote collaboration between higher education institutions (HEIs) and industrial partners.

• Train strategically relevant and industrially competitive doctoral graduates.

• Strengthen Sweden’s innovation ecosystem through applied research with societal and industrial impact.

Funding and Budget

• Total grant per project: SEK 3.25 million, including indirect costs.

• Number of projects planned: 12.

• Cost coverage: Approximately half of the doctoral project cost; remaining costs shared by the HEI and company.

• Indirect costs: Allowed only for the HEI portion, up to 25%.

• Final payment: 25% withheld until final report approval and PhD certificate submission.

Eligibility Criteria

Main Applicant (HEI Supervisor):

• Employed at least 80% at a Swedish HEI for the entire grant period.

• Responsible for reporting to SSF.

Industrial Partner:

• Commercially sound company, registered in Sweden or located nearby for strategic collaboration.

• Minimum of 10 full-time employees.

• Relevant expertise to support the doctoral research.

• Hospitals may serve as partners for clinical research; industrial research institutes are not eligible.

Co-Applicant (Company Supervisor):

• Employed at least 80% at the company.

• Together with the HEI supervisor forms the project steering group.

Industrial Doctoral Student:

• Not yet admitted to doctoral studies at the time of application.

• Must be admitted and employed by the company before the project begins.

• Works at least 80% at the company, sharing time with the HEI.

• Devotes the equivalent of four years of full-time work to the project; up to 20% may be used for other duties funded by the HEI.

Application Process

1. Prepare Research Plan: Maximum five pages, detailing scientific objectives, methodology, and expected impact.

2. Submit Supporting Documents: CVs, publication lists, letters of intent from HEI and industrial partner, doctoral student profile, strategic relevance, societal impact, IP rights plan, and budget.

3. Declaration: Provide any relationships or dependencies between involved parties.

4. Submission: Applications must be in English through the SSF portal by May 13, 2026, 14:00 CEST.

5. Evaluation: Conducted by an external committee of academic and industry experts based on scientific quality, strategic relevance, societal/industrial impact, supervisor qualifications, and absence of inappropriate dependencies.

6. Restrictions: One application per applicant (main or co-applicant); overlapping SSF industrial doctoral grants are not permitted.

Project Timeline

• Project Start: Between January 1 and June 30, 2027.

• Duration: Until completion of the doctoral degree.

Evaluation Criteria

• Scientific quality and innovation of the proposed research.

• Strategic relevance for industry and societal impact in Sweden.

• Commitment and collaboration between HEI and industrial partner.

• Supervisor qualifications and experience.

• Gender balance and diversity considerations across funded projects.

FAQ – SSF Industrial Doctoral Student Grant

1. Who can apply? HEI supervisors at Swedish universities with an industrial partner meeting eligibility criteria.

2. What funding is provided? SEK 3.25 million per project, covering ~50% of doctoral project costs.

3. Who can be the industrial partner? Commercial companies with at least 10 employees; hospitals for clinical research; industrial research institutes are not eligible.

4. Does the doctoral student need to be identified? No, but they must be admitted and employed before the project starts.

5. What is the project start window? Between January 1 and June 30, 2027.

6. How are applications evaluated? By an external committee, considering scientific quality, strategic relevance, impact, and collaboration.

7. When is the application deadline? May 13, 2026, at 14:00 CEST.

Conclusion

The SSF Industrial Doctoral Student Grant Program provides funding and structured support to train PhD graduates who bridge academia and industry, conduct strategically relevant research, and contribute to Sweden’s innovation ecosystem. By fostering high-quality collaborations, the program strengthens scientific excellence, industrial competitiveness, and societal impact.

For more information, visit SSF.