Deadline: 19-Mar-2026
Forte’s Establishment Grant Programme supports junior researchers in Sweden with up to SEK 3.75 million to build independence, strengthen career development, and promote researcher mobility.
The programme funds high-quality, societally relevant research in health, working life, and welfare, offering two- or three-year grants for early-career researchers within three years of completing their doctorate.
Programme Overview
The Forte Establishment Grant Programme is a competitive research funding opportunity designed to support the skills development, independence, and mobility of junior researchers.
The programme targets early-career researchers conducting research within health, working life, and welfare, with a strong emphasis on scientific excellence, societal relevance, and the development of an independent academic career.
By funding researcher-led projects, Forte aims to strengthen Sweden’s long-term research capacity and support the transition from postdoctoral researcher to independent principal investigator.
Core Objectives of the Programme
The Establishment Grant Programme seeks to:
• Promote high scientific quality and innovation
• Strengthen societal relevance and impact
• Support early-career researchers in building autonomy
• Encourage national and international researcher mobility
• Enable junior researchers to lead independent research projects
• Strengthen research relevant to Swedish conditions
Research Areas Supported
Projects must fall within Forte’s thematic remit, which includes:
• Health
• Working life
• Welfare
Research may have short-term or long-term societal impact and must clearly demonstrate relevance to Swedish contexts, even when conducted partly abroad.
Grant Duration and Funding Levels
Project Duration Options
Applicants may apply for either:
• A two-year project, or
• A three-year project
Maximum Funding Amounts
• Up to SEK 2.5 million for a two-year project
• Up to SEK 3.75 million for a three-year project
These amounts include indirect costs (overheads).
Total Programme Budget
• Approximately SEK 100 million allocated for the period 2027–2029
Who Is Eligible?
Applicant Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must:
• Hold a doctoral degree
• Be within three years of completing their PhD by the application deadline
• Be a junior researcher seeking to establish an independent research profile
• Submit only one application as main applicant
• Be the sole researcher named in the application
Employment and Institutional Requirements
Applicants must:
• Be employed by a Swedish organisation that acts as the fund manager
• Conduct research in Sweden or partly abroad
• Ensure the research remains relevant to Swedish conditions
Researcher Mobility and International Experience
The programme actively supports researcher mobility.
Projects may be:
• Fully conducted in Sweden, or
• Partly conducted abroad as a research stay
Forte may provide additional support for increased living and accommodation costs during international research stays, subject to programme guidelines and later agreement.
Activity Level and Salary Requirements
Applicants must:
• Commit to an activity level of at least 50% full-time employment within the project
• Be salaried in proportion to their activity level
This requirement ensures meaningful engagement and leadership throughout the project period.
Open Science and Data Management Requirements
Open Access Publishing
All research outputs funded through the grant must be:
• Published with immediate open access
Data Management Plan
Projects that generate research data must include:
• A data management plan, outlining data collection, storage, sharing, and long-term accessibility
Application Process
How to Apply
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Develop an independent research project aligned with Forte’s thematic areas.
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Ensure eligibility regarding doctoral degree timing and employment conditions.
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Prepare a research proposal demonstrating scientific quality, relevance, and career development.
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Submit the application through the Prisma system.
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Choose either Swedish or English as the application language.
Review and Evaluation Process
Applications undergo a two-stage assessment:
• Eligibility and relevance screening to ensure alignment with the call
• Scientific evaluation based on established assessment criteria
Evaluation Criteria
Funding decisions are based on:
• Scientific quality and originality
• Societal relevance and potential impact
• Feasibility and methodological robustness
• Contribution to the applicant’s career development
• Researcher mobility and independence
• Applicant’s capacity to conduct independent research
Why This Grant Matters
The Forte Establishment Grant is a key funding instrument because it:
• Enables early-career researchers to lead their first independent projects
• Strengthens Sweden’s research base in health, welfare, and working life
• Encourages international experience and mobility
• Supports long-term academic career progression
• Aligns scientific excellence with societal needs
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Applying outside the eligible PhD completion timeframe
• Including additional named researchers in the proposal
• Weak articulation of independence from previous supervisors
• Insufficient demonstration of relevance to Swedish conditions
• Failing to meet open access or data management requirements
Tips for a Strong Application
• Clearly demonstrate your independence as a researcher
• Link your project to societal challenges within Forte’s remit
• Show how the grant will advance your academic career
• Integrate mobility or international collaboration where relevant
• Present a realistic project plan with strong methodological clarity
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is the Establishment Grant intended for?
The grant is intended for junior researchers within three years of completing their doctorate who are building an independent academic career.
How much funding can I apply for?
Up to SEK 2.5 million for two-year projects or up to SEK 3.75 million for three-year projects, including indirect costs.
Can the research be conducted abroad?
Yes. Projects may be conducted partly abroad, provided the applicant is employed by a Swedish organisation and the research is relevant to Swedish conditions.
Is international mobility financially supported?
Yes. Forte may provide support for increased living and accommodation costs during approved research stays abroad.
What is the minimum activity level required?
Applicants must commit to at least 50% full-time employment within the project and be salaried accordingly.
Are applications accepted in English?
Yes. Applications may be submitted in either Swedish or English through the Prisma system.
Is open access publishing mandatory?
Yes. All research outputs must be published with immediate open access, and projects generating data must include a data management plan.
Conclusion
The Forte Establishment Grant Programme offers a critical opportunity for junior researchers to transition into independent academic careers.
By combining substantial funding, support for mobility, and a strong emphasis on societal relevance, the programme enables early-career researchers to build autonomy, strengthen their research profile, and contribute meaningfully to health, working life, and welfare research in Sweden.
For more information, visit Forte.