Deadline: 29-Sep-2026
The Exploratory Grant in Groundbreaking Research is designed to support researchers seeking to test bold, innovative, and potentially transformative research ideas. The programme encourages scientific risk-taking and supports projects that have the potential to generate major research breakthroughs and create new directions within their fields.
With a total budget of 100 million SEK for the 2026 call, the grant provides funding for exploratory projects that could lead to future large-scale research opportunities and significant advances in knowledge.
About the Grant
- The programme supports potentially groundbreaking research projects.
- Funding is available across all academic disciplines.
- The grant encourages innovative and high-risk research ideas.
- Projects should have the potential to generate significant scientific breakthroughs.
- The initiative aims to advance knowledge beyond current research frontiers.
- Funding supports early exploration of promising ideas before larger-scale research investments.
- The programme promotes research excellence at the international level.
Programme Objectives
- Stimulate groundbreaking research.
- Encourage scientific creativity and risk-taking.
- Support transformative and innovative research concepts.
- Generate new knowledge through research breakthroughs.
- Advance understanding within established fields.
- Create entirely new research directions.
- Strengthen international research competitiveness.
- Support the development of future research projects.
Research Areas Supported
Applications are welcome from all fields of research, including:
- Humanities and Social Sciences.
- Clinical Therapy Research.
- Artistic Research.
- Medicine and Health.
- Natural Sciences.
- Engineering Sciences.
- Educational Sciences.
- Interdisciplinary research fields.
What is Groundbreaking Research?
For this programme, groundbreaking research refers to:
- Research that generates substantially new knowledge.
- Projects with the potential to create significant breakthroughs.
- Research that challenges existing assumptions or approaches.
- Innovative ideas that may transform a field of study.
- Research capable of opening new scientific directions.
- Projects with potential for major international impact.
The programme particularly encourages ambitious ideas that involve scientific uncertainty but offer the possibility of exceptional outcomes.
Funding Information
- Total budget for the 2026 call: 100 million SEK.
- Grant amount: 1,000,000 SEK per year.
- Grant duration: Two years.
- Total funding per project: 2,000,000 SEK.
The funding is intended to support exploratory research activities that test the feasibility and potential of innovative ideas.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Hold a doctoral degree.
- Serve as the project leader.
- Conduct research within an eligible field.
- Be employed by an eligible organization throughout the grant period.
- Commit at least 20% of full-time effort to the project.
- Meet the programme’s career-stage requirements.
- Have secured previous competitive external research funding as project leader.
Career Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must have obtained their doctoral degree between:
- 29 September 2014 and 29 September 2024.
The programme targets researchers who are building independent research careers while already demonstrating the ability to secure competitive funding.
Previous Funding Requirement
Applicants must have:
- Previously secured at least 2,000,000 SEK in competitive external research funding as project leader.
- Obtained the funding through a competitive selection process.
- Funding must either:
- Be ongoing during 2026, or
- Have ended no earlier than 1 January 2024.
This requirement demonstrates the applicant’s ability to lead independent research projects and successfully compete for research funding.
Deductible Periods and Career Extensions
Exceptions to the doctoral degree time limit may be considered for applicants whose research careers have been affected by approved circumstances.
Eligible grounds may include:
- Parental leave.
- Long-term illness.
- Mandatory service in the total defence force.
- Positions of trust in trade unions.
- Positions of trust in student organizations.
- General medical internships.
- BT foundation periods.
- Specialist medical training.
- Other approved career interruptions under programme rules.
Approved deductible periods may extend eligibility within specified limits.
Expected Outcomes
Funded projects are expected to:
- Test novel research ideas.
- Generate preliminary findings for future studies.
- Demonstrate the feasibility of innovative concepts.
- Create opportunities for future external funding.
- Advance knowledge within research disciplines.
- Contribute to scientific breakthroughs.
- Strengthen research leadership and innovation.
Why This Grant Matters
- Many transformative discoveries begin as high-risk ideas.
- Traditional funding mechanisms may not always support exploratory research.
- Scientific breakthroughs often require researchers to challenge established thinking.
- Early-stage testing helps identify promising research directions.
- Supporting innovative concepts can lead to major advances in knowledge and society.
- The programme strengthens the pipeline of future groundbreaking research.
Application Tips
- Clearly explain what makes the research idea groundbreaking.
- Demonstrate how the project could transform current understanding.
- Highlight the innovative and exploratory aspects of the proposal.
- Present a strong scientific rationale despite research uncertainty.
- Explain the potential long-term impact of the project.
- Demonstrate your ability to lead ambitious research initiatives.
- Clearly describe expected outcomes and future research potential.
- Ensure all eligibility and funding requirements are fully met.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the purpose of the Exploratory Grant in Groundbreaking Research?
- The grant supports researchers in testing innovative and potentially transformative research ideas that may lead to significant scientific breakthroughs.
How much funding is available per project?
- Successful applicants receive 1,000,000 SEK per year for two years, totaling 2,000,000 SEK.
What is the total budget for the 2026 call?
- The total budgetary framework is 100 million SEK.
Which research fields are eligible?
- All research disciplines are eligible, including humanities, social sciences, medicine, health sciences, engineering, natural sciences, educational sciences, and artistic research.
Who can apply?
- Researchers holding a doctoral degree awarded between 29 September 2014 and 29 September 2024 who meet all programme requirements.
Is previous research funding required?
- Yes. Applicants must have secured at least 2,000,000 SEK in competitive external research funding as project leader.
Can career interruptions be considered?
- Yes. Eligibility extensions may be granted for approved deductible periods such as parental leave, illness, military service, or certain professional training periods.
Conclusion
The Exploratory Grant in Groundbreaking Research offers researchers a valuable opportunity to pursue bold, high-risk ideas with the potential to generate major scientific breakthroughs. By providing 2 million SEK over two years, the programme supports innovative projects that challenge existing knowledge, open new research directions, and lay the foundation for future research excellence.
For more information, visit Swedish Research Council.