Early academic career

Background of the programme

Today’s knowledge-intensive society is in great need of cutting-edge research results and people with academic excellence. One way to meet these needs is to offer promising researchers good opportunities for an academic career.

Within the programme, the project manager should also be allowed to develop professionally and position her-/himself career-wise.

Project design

The programme provides funding for research projects that address a scientific question in close collaboration with business partners. However, as the main objective is to support the professional development of the project manager and to strengthen their qualifications for a continued academic career, the project should also include career-enhancing activities.

Career-enhancing activities may include teaching, participation in other research projects, departmental duties, network building, internationalisation, skills development in project management or supervision, and similar initiatives. The project manager is expected to allocate 60–80 percent of their working time to the research project, with the remaining time dedicated to career-enhancing activities.

Terms and conditions

Applicants: Universities within the Knowledge Foundation’s target group. The programme can be carried out in collaboration between research and educational environments at several universities. Read more about the universities we support.

To apply for funding within Early academic career, the project manager must be an early career researcher. This means they must not have been academically active for more than three years as of the call’s closing date. Periods of inactivity in academic work may be excluded — so-called deductible time.

Co-funding requirements: The total co-funding from industry partners must correspond to at least the amount requested from the Knowledge Foundation. At least two mutually independent business actors should co-finance the project. Criteria for co-financing business actors.

Maximum funding amount: SEK 2.5 million.

Project duration: 2–3 years.

The programme’s contribution to strong research and educational environments

The specific purpose of the programme is to develop and/or renew the research and education environment within its scientific profile area through a strategic recruitment of a promising early career researcher. The programme also contributes to strengthen the relationship between academia and the business sector within the subject area.