ÅForsk increases funding for repatriation grants by SEK 12 million

19 June 2025

Photo: Istockphoto

ÅForsk Foundation is allocating an additional SEK 12 million this year within the framework of its research grant to promote repatriation. This enables Swedish researchers who have been working abroad to re-establish themselves in Sweden.

– ÅForsk has previously allocated funds for about two researchers per year who have received the grant. Now we are adding SEK 12 million, which gives us the opportunity to support around eight researchers in returning to Sweden and building up their research, says Per Dannetun, CEO of ÅForsk.

The repatriation grant is aimed at researchers who want to re-establish themselves in Sweden as independent researchers after an international postdoctoral stay. Applications are open to researchers who obtained their PhD within the past seven years and who have conducted research abroad for at least one year, either as an academic or industrial post doc, or as an employed industrial researcher.

– Given the current global situation, we believe this initiative can, in the long term, create strong opportunities for the development of new research fields in Sweden. This would benefit both individual researchers and Swedish universities, and ultimately promote new technological development, Per Dannetun says.

The ÅForsk Foundation funds research of high scientific quality that can be applied within the core areas of Energy, Environment, Safety & Sustainability, Infrastructure, Materials Technology, Process Development, and Products from Renewable Resources. The grant runs for 2 years and amounts to SEK 2 million.

Applications must be submitted no later than September 30, 2025.