Deadline: 08-Sep-2026
The Project Grant for Research Collaboration between Italy and Sweden supports joint scientific projects between Swedish and Italian research groups in quantum technology and solar science. The grant is designed for early-career researchers who completed their doctoral degree no more than eight years ago.
The Swedish Research Council provides 400,000 SEK per year for three years, with joint funding also provided by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Eligible costs include salaries, travel, consumables, publication costs, minor equipment, research facility stays, and other project-related expenses.
What is the Italy–Sweden Research Collaboration Project Grant?
The Project Grant for Research Collaboration between Italy and Sweden supports joint research activities between researchers based in Sweden and Italy.
The grant focuses on collaborative scientific projects in quantum technology and solar science.
It is intended to strengthen international research cooperation while supporting researchers at an early stage of their careers.
Main Purpose of the Grant
The main purpose of the grant is to advance scientific collaboration between Italian and Swedish research groups.
The grant aims to:
- Support joint research between Italy and Sweden
- Promote early-career researcher development
- Strengthen international scientific cooperation
- Advance research in quantum technology
- Advance research in solar science and solar technologies
- Support collaborative research projects over three years
- Build long-term research connections between Swedish and Italian institutions
Funding Partners
The call is part of the agreement on Cultural, Educational, Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Italy and Sweden.
The grant is jointly supported by:
- Swedish Research Council
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Awarded projects will receive joint funding from both Swedish and Italian partners.
Focus Areas
The grant supports research in two main scientific areas.
Quantum Technology
Quantum technology projects may focus on:
- Quantum computing
- Quantum optics
- Quantum metrology
- Related quantum research fields
Solar Science
Solar science projects may focus on:
- Solar physics
- Solar thermal energy
- Solar-based technologies
- Related solar technology research
Funding Amount
The Swedish Research Council provides 400,000 SEK per year.
The funding period is three years.
The total Swedish Research Council contribution is therefore 1,200,000 SEK over the full project period.
Projects will also receive joint support from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Project Duration
The grant supports projects for three years.
Applicants should prepare a project plan that clearly explains the research collaboration, timeline, activities, responsibilities, and expected scientific outcomes over the full grant period.
Who is Eligible?
The opportunity is designed for early-career researchers involved in collaborative research between Sweden and Italy.
The applicant must be:
- An individual researcher
- Active in Sweden
- Serving as the Swedish project leader
- Collaborating with a researcher active in Italy
- Working with the Italian researcher as the Italian project leader
The Italian project leader must be included in the application as a participating researcher.
Early-Career Researcher Requirement
Both the Swedish and Italian project leaders must have completed a doctoral degree no more than eight years ago.
This requirement applies to both researchers involved in the collaboration.
The grant is therefore specifically aimed at researchers in the early stages of their independent research careers.
Swedish Project Leader
The Swedish project leader is the main applicant.
The Swedish project leader must be active in Sweden and responsible for submitting the application.
This person leads the Swedish side of the collaboration and coordinates the project with the Italian research partner.
Italian Project Leader
The Italian project leader must be active in Italy.
The Italian researcher must be included in the application as a participating researcher.
The Italian project leader is responsible for the Italian side of the collaboration and contributes to the joint scientific project.
Eligible Project Costs
The grant can support costs directly related to the research project.
Eligible costs may include:
- Salaries
- Premises
- Running costs
- Consumables
- Travel
- Research facility stays
- Publication costs
- Minor equipment
- Depreciation costs
Applicants should ensure that all requested costs are clearly connected to the project’s research activities.
Ineligible Costs and Restrictions
The grant cannot be used for scholarships.
Project funds for doctoral students cannot be used to cover:
- Salaries for teaching
- Departmental duties
- Unrelated courses
- Activities not directly connected to the research project
Applicants should avoid including costs that are not clearly tied to the funded research collaboration.
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
The grant supports joint research projects that bring together Swedish and Italian researchers in quantum or solar technologies.
Supported projects may include:
- Collaborative experimental research
- Theoretical research
- Technology development
- Joint scientific investigations
- Research visits and facility-based work
- Shared publication activities
- Development of early-career research networks
- Cross-border research collaboration between Swedish and Italian groups
Key Concepts Explained
Quantum Technology
Quantum technology uses principles of quantum physics to develop advanced tools, systems, and methods. Relevant fields include quantum computing, quantum optics, and quantum metrology.
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing explores computing systems that use quantum states to process information in ways that may solve certain problems faster or differently than classical computers.
Quantum Optics
Quantum optics studies how light behaves at the quantum level and how light interacts with matter in advanced research and technology systems.
Quantum Metrology
Quantum metrology uses quantum effects to improve the precision of measurements, sensors, and scientific instruments.
Solar Science
Solar science includes research on the Sun, solar energy, solar physics, and technologies that use or study solar radiation.
Solar Thermal Energy
Solar thermal energy refers to technologies that use sunlight to produce heat for energy systems, industrial processes, or other applications.
Early-Career Researcher
An early-career researcher, for this grant, is a researcher who completed a doctoral degree no more than eight years ago.
How the Grant Works
The grant supports a joint project between one Swedish project leader and one Italian project leader.
The Swedish researcher applies as the main applicant.
The Italian project leader is included as a participating researcher.
The project must focus on one or more eligible areas within quantum technology or solar science.
The grant provides support for three years, with annual funding from the Swedish Research Council and joint funding from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a clear research proposal that demonstrates scientific quality, collaboration value, feasibility, and relevance to the focus areas.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm that the Swedish applicant is an individual researcher active in Sweden.
- Confirm that the Italian project leader is active in Italy.
- Check that both researchers completed their doctoral degrees no more than eight years ago.
- Select the relevant focus area: quantum technology or solar science.
- Develop a joint research plan between the Swedish and Italian research groups.
- Include the Italian project leader as a participating researcher.
- Prepare a three-year project timeline.
- Define roles, responsibilities, and collaboration methods.
- Prepare a budget of 400,000 SEK per year from the Swedish Research Council side.
- Include only eligible project-related costs.
- Exclude scholarships and unrelated doctoral student costs.
- Submit the application according to the official grant requirements.
Assessment Considerations
Applications should demonstrate strong scientific value and meaningful collaboration between Sweden and Italy.
Assessment may consider:
- Scientific quality of the proposed research
- Relevance to quantum technology or solar science
- Strength of the Sweden–Italy collaboration
- Early-career development value
- Feasibility of the three-year project plan
- Quality of the research team
- Clear role of the Italian project leader
- Suitability of the budget
- Expected contribution to the research field
- Long-term potential for international cooperation
Expected Results
Funded projects should strengthen research collaboration and produce meaningful scientific outcomes.
Expected results may include:
- New knowledge in quantum or solar technologies
- Stronger Italy–Sweden research partnerships
- Career development for early-career researchers
- Joint publications
- Shared research methods or tools
- Research visits or facility-based collaboration
- Expanded international research networks
- Contribution to scientific and technological cooperation between Italy and Sweden
Why It Matters
Quantum technology and solar science are important fields for future scientific and technological development.
Quantum research can contribute to new computing, measurement, sensing, and optical systems.
Solar science can support improved understanding of solar processes and the development of solar-based technologies.
By supporting early-career researchers in Sweden and Italy, this grant helps build the next generation of international scientific collaboration.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong application should clearly show why the collaboration between Sweden and Italy is scientifically valuable.
Applicants should focus on:
- Strong research question
- Clear connection to quantum technology or solar science
- Well-defined roles for both project leaders
- Strong early-career researcher profile
- Realistic three-year work plan
- Clear scientific outputs
- Strong justification for project costs
- Evidence of meaningful collaboration
- Feasible travel, facility, or research exchange plans
- Long-term value for Sweden–Italy research cooperation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should carefully check eligibility, budget rules, and collaboration requirements.
Common mistakes include:
- Applying without an Italian project leader
- Failing to include the Italian project leader as a participating researcher
- Not meeting the eight-year doctoral degree requirement
- Submitting a project outside quantum technology or solar science
- Providing a weak collaboration plan
- Including scholarship costs
- Including doctoral student teaching or departmental duties in the budget
- Requesting costs not directly related to the project
- Providing an unclear three-year timeline
- Not explaining the scientific value of the Italy–Sweden partnership
FAQ
What is the Project Grant for Research Collaboration between Italy and Sweden?
It is a grant that supports joint research projects between Swedish and Italian research groups in quantum technology and solar science.
Who can apply?
The applicant must be an individual researcher active in Sweden and serve as the Swedish project leader. The project must include a researcher active in Italy as the Italian project leader.
What is the early-career requirement?
Both the Swedish and Italian project leaders must have completed a doctoral degree no more than eight years ago.
What research areas are supported?
The grant supports quantum technology, including quantum computing, quantum optics, and quantum metrology, as well as solar science, including solar physics, solar thermal energy, and solar-based technologies.
How much funding is available?
The Swedish Research Council provides 400,000 SEK per year for three years. Awarded projects also receive joint funding from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
What costs can the grant cover?
Eligible costs include salaries, premises, consumables, travel, research facility stays, publication costs, minor equipment, running costs, and depreciation costs.
Can the grant be used for scholarships?
No. The funding cannot be used for scholarships. Doctoral student funds also cannot cover teaching, departmental duties, or unrelated courses.
Conclusion
The Project Grant for Research Collaboration between Italy and Sweden supports early-career researchers working together on advanced research in quantum technology and solar science. With three years of project support and annual Swedish Research Council funding of 400,000 SEK, the grant strengthens international research cooperation and helps develop the next generation of scientific leaders.
Strong applications will demonstrate clear eligibility, a well-structured Sweden–Italy collaboration, strong scientific quality, relevant research focus, realistic budgeting, and a clear plan for advancing knowledge in quantum or solar technologies.
For more information, visit The Swedish Research Council.