The Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet) has opened its 2026 Grant for Recruiting International Visiting Researchers to Sweden, providing Swedish higher education institutions and approved research organisations with funding to recruit internationally recognised researchers currently working outside Europe. The programme aims to strengthen Sweden’s research environment by enabling institutions to attract outstanding international scholars who can contribute to long-term research development, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration. The grant offers 2 million Swedish kronor (SEK) for a 12-month visiting appointment, with applications accepted on a rolling basis until 10 November 2026. About the Grant The funding is designed to help Swedish universities and approved research organisations recruit prominent researchers from outside Europe who can make significant contributions to Swedish research and academic environments. The grant supports both the recruitment process and the visiting researcher’s employment in Sweden during the funded period. The initiative is open across a broad range of academic disciplines, including: • Humanities and Social Sciences • Clinical Therapy Research • Artistic Research • Medicine and Health • Natural and Engineering Sciences • Educational Sciences The programme forms part of the Swedish Research Council’s efforts to strengthen international research collaboration and enhance Sweden’s global research competitiveness. Funding Details Successful organisations will receive: • Grant amount: 2 million SEK • Grant duration: 12 months • Total programme budget: Approximately 30 million SEK • Funding type: Visiting Researcher Grant • Support category: Research Environment and Collaboration Support The funded visit must begin no earlier than 1 May 2026 and no later than 1 March 2027. Who Can Apply? Applications must be submitted by eligible Swedish organisations rather than individual researchers. Eligible applicants include: • Swedish higher education institutions (HEIs) • Other Swedish organisations approved by the Swedish Research Council as administrating organisations Each application must nominate a representative from the host department who will serve as the project leader throughout the grant period. No additional participating researchers may be included in the application. Eligibility Requirements for Visiting Researchers The proposed visiting researcher must meet several important eligibility criteria. At the time of application, the researcher must: • Be an internationally recognised researcher. • Have been actively conducting research outside Europe for at least two years. • Have a career age of at least five years after completing a PhD or equivalent qualification. • Not already be established within the Swedish research system. Applicants should note that researchers already holding Swedish Research Council grants or participating in certain mobility programmes are generally not eligible under this call. The proposed researcher must also be aware of the nomination and agree to the recruitment if funding is awarded. Purpose of the Visit The Swedish Research Council expects the visiting researcher to contribute significantly to the host institution while building long-term research collaborations. Successful researchers are expected to: • Participate actively in departmental research activities. • Strengthen existing research environments. • Collaborate with researchers across Sweden. • Contribute to research development beyond the duration of the funded visit. • Support teaching, supervision, seminars, conferences, and other academic activities where appropriate. The long-term ambition is for recruited researchers to establish sustained research relationships with Swedish institutions. Eligible Costs The grant may be used to support a wide range of recruitment and relocation expenses. Eligible costs include: • Salary during the research stay in Sweden. • Relocation expenses. • Travel between Sweden and the researcher’s home country. • Temporary accommodation or housing costs. • Research expenses directly resulting from relocation. • Relocation costs for accompanying family members. The grant also includes indirect costs based on the administrating organisation’s approved cost model. However, grant funding cannot be used to provide scholarships. Any expenses exceeding the awarded funding must be covered by the host organisation. Application Process Applications are submitted through Prisma, the Swedish Research Council’s electronic grants management system. To access the application portal, eligible organisations must first request a dedicated application link by contacting the Swedish Research Council. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis throughout the application period. Important application dates include: • Opening date: 11 February 2026 • Closing date: 10 November 2026 • Application review: Rolling • Decision timeline: Approximately two months after submission Required Application Documents Applications should include comprehensive information about both the proposed researcher and the planned research collaboration. Required documentation includes: • Project abstract. • Research programme. • Justification for the recruitment. • Description of the researcher’s contribution to Swedish research. • Participation plan within the host department. • Employment plan. • Visiting researcher’s CV. • Publication list covering research outputs from 2018–2026. • Signed certificate confirming the researcher’s willingness to relocate and participate. • Budget justification describing how the funding will be used. Applications may be prepared in either English or Swedish. Evaluation Criteria Applications will undergo competitive peer review by expert assessment panels. Reviewers will consider two primary criteria: Scientific Excellence • Scientific achievements. • International research standing. Relevance to the Call • Potential to strengthen Swedish research. • Contribution to the host institution. • Long-term research impact. • Quality of the participation plan. • Contribution to research renewal, teaching, supervision, and academic collaboration. Both criteria are assessed using a seven-point evaluation scale. Strengthening Sweden’s International Research Capacity The Swedish Research Council’s Visiting Researcher Grant provides an important opportunity for Swedish research institutions to recruit internationally recognised scholars while strengthening national research excellence through global collaboration. By supporting international mobility, long-term partnerships, and knowledge exchange, the programme seeks to enhance Sweden’s position as a leading destination for world-class research across multiple disciplines. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.