Grant for Recruiting International Visiting Researchers to Sweden 2026: Up to 2 Million SEK to Strengthen Global Research Collaboration
Are you a university, higher education institution, or research organization looking to attract world-class international talent? The Swedish Research Council has opened applications for its Grant for Recruiting International Visiting Researchers to Sweden 2026, offering up to 2 million SEK to support the recruitment of outstanding researchers currently working outside Europe. The initiative is designed to strengthen Swedish research environments, encourage long-term international collaboration, and foster scientific excellence across a wide range of disciplines.
This highly competitive funding opportunity enables Swedish research organizations to recruit internationally recognized researchers for a 12-month visit while laying the foundation for lasting academic partnerships. With applications accepted on a rolling basis until 10 November 2026, eligible organizations are encouraged to prepare strong proposals as early as possible.
Grant Overview
| Programme | Grant for Recruiting International Visiting Researchers to Sweden 2026 |
|---|---|
| Funding Organization | Swedish Research Council |
| Grant Amount | 2 Million SEK |
| Grant Period | 12 Months |
| Total Budget | Approximately 30 Million SEK |
| Application Period | 11 February – 10 November 2026 |
| Funding Type | Visiting Researcher Grant |
| Eligible Applicants | Swedish Universities and Approved Research Organizations |
| Focus | International Recruitment |
The programme is specifically designed to strengthen research environments by recruiting internationally established researchers currently working outside Europe.
About the Swedish Research Council
The Swedish Research Council is Sweden’s largest governmental research funding organization. It supports outstanding research across numerous scientific disciplines while promoting international collaboration, scientific excellence, innovation, and knowledge exchange.
Through strategic investments in researchers and research institutions, the Council seeks to strengthen Sweden’s position as one of the world’s leading research destinations.
The Visiting Researcher Grant is one of several initiatives that encourage international mobility and global scientific collaboration.
Purpose of the Grant
The primary objective of this funding programme is to enable Swedish higher education institutions and research organizations to recruit internationally renowned researchers who are currently based outside Europe.
The programme seeks to:
- Strengthen existing research environments
- Build long-term international collaborations
- Introduce new expertise into Swedish institutions
- Increase Sweden’s global research competitiveness
- Promote knowledge exchange across borders
- Support the long-term establishment of international researchers in Sweden
Unlike short academic visits, this programme aims to create sustainable research relationships that continue beyond the funded period.
Research Fields Supported
Applications are welcomed across a broad range of academic disciplines, including:
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Medicine and Health
- Clinical Therapy Research
- Natural Sciences
- Engineering Sciences
- Educational Sciences
- Artistic Research
This broad eligibility makes the programme attractive to universities and research organizations across Sweden seeking international expertise in virtually any research domain.
Funding Available
Each successful application receives a standard grant of 2 million SEK to support a full-time 12-month research visit.
The funding may be used to cover:
- Salary during the visit
- Relocation expenses
- International travel
- Housing costs
- Moving expenses
- Research-related costs associated with relocation
- Certain costs for accompanying family members
The grant also includes indirect institutional costs according to the host organization’s funding model. However, it cannot be used for scholarships.
Who Can Apply?
The applicant must be:
- A Swedish university or higher education institution, or
- Another Swedish research organization approved by the Swedish Research Council.
Applications must be submitted by an organizational representative serving as the project leader on behalf of the host institution.
Individual researchers cannot apply directly for this funding opportunity.
Who Can Be Recruited?
The proposed visiting researcher must:
- Be internationally recognized within their field.
- Have been conducting research outside Europe for at least two years before the application.
- Have at least five years of post-PhD research experience.
- Not already be established in Sweden.
- Be aware of and agree to the proposed recruitment.
- Intend to contribute to the long-term development of research at the host institution.
Importantly, if the nominated researcher declines the position after funding is awarded, the institution cannot substitute another researcher under the same application.
Grant Duration
The funded visit lasts 12 months, beginning no earlier than 1 May 2026 and no later than 1 March 2027.
Although the application form displays a default start date, applicants must specify the actual planned start date in both the abstract and research description. The visit must conclude within the grant’s availability period.
Rolling Applications
Unlike many competitive research grants with a single deadline, this programme accepts applications on a rolling basis.
Applications submitted between 11 February and 10 November 2026 are reviewed continuously, with decisions generally published within approximately two months after registration.
Institutions are therefore encouraged to apply as soon as proposals are ready rather than waiting until the closing date.
Application Requirements
A complete application includes several important components.
Research Programme
Applicants must prepare a concise research programme describing:
- The visiting researcher’s expertise
- Justification for the recruitment
- Contribution to Swedish research
- Long-term collaboration plans
- Participation within the host department
- Expected scientific impact
The research programme is limited to four A4 pages.
Researcher Information
Applications must include:
- Full name
- Academic title
- Current institution
- Current country
- Doctoral completion date
- Planned visit duration
- Future employment plans
- Departmental hosting arrangements
A signed certificate from the researcher confirming their willingness to participate is also required.
CV and Publications
Applicants must attach:
- A three-page academic CV
- A publication list covering research outputs from 2018–2026
The publication list should distinguish between peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed outputs.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed through a competitive peer-review process involving subject experts and, where necessary, external reviewers.
The main evaluation criteria include:
Scientific Excellence
Reviewers consider:
- Scientific achievements
- International reputation
- Research quality
- Academic standing
Strategic Relevance
Applications are also evaluated on how well they:
- Strengthen Swedish research
- Contribute to the host department
- Build sustainable collaboration
- Support education and supervision
- Promote long-term institutional development
Each criterion is assessed using a seven-point grading scale.
Why This Grant Matters
International collaboration has become one of the defining characteristics of world-leading research institutions. Recruiting outstanding researchers brings new perspectives, strengthens scientific networks, increases research visibility, and creates opportunities for future joint projects.
For Swedish universities, this programme offers an excellent opportunity to attract internationally recognized scholars while enhancing research capacity across multiple disciplines.
For visiting researchers, the grant provides a platform to collaborate with Swedish institutions, access advanced research infrastructure, supervise students, build international partnerships, and explore long-term academic opportunities in Sweden.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Tips for a Strong Application
Institutions preparing applications should:
- Select researchers with strong international reputations and demonstrated scientific impact.
- Clearly explain how the recruitment will strengthen the host department beyond the grant period.
- Present a realistic plan for integrating the researcher into teaching, supervision, seminars, and collaborative projects.
- Highlight long-term institutional benefits rather than focusing only on the one-year visit.
- Ensure all required documentation, including the researcher’s signed confirmation, CV, and publication list, meets the specified formatting requirements.
- Submit early to take advantage of the rolling review process and potentially receive funding decisions sooner.
Why Organizations Should Apply
The Grant for Recruiting International Visiting Researchers to Sweden 2026 represents a significant investment in global scientific collaboration. With 2 million SEK available per award and a national funding budget of approximately 30 million SEK, the programme enables Swedish institutions to attract internationally renowned researchers whose expertise can transform research environments and establish enduring partnerships.
Whether your institution specializes in engineering, medicine, social sciences, education, humanities, or the natural sciences, this funding opportunity provides an exceptional platform to strengthen international collaboration and position Swedish research at the forefront of global innovation.
Organizations interested in participating should begin preparing applications as early as possible to maximize their chances of success before the 10 November 2026 closing date.
