Formas' annual call for applications for postdoctoral scholarships

FAQs

The Swedish Research Council Formas is calling for applications for postdoctoral scholarships in all the areas of responsibility of the Council.

The mission of the Research Council Formas is to promote and support basic research and need-driven research of the highest scientific quality in the areas Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning. The research council is also responsible for information on research and research results.

The research should contribute to the sustainable development of society - a development which implies that the finite resources of the planet and the environment are not consumed or degraded in an irrevocable manner, to the detriment of future generations. This presupposes that the health and welfare of humans and animals, biodiversity, the environment and the viability of nature, economics, ethics, and social and cultural values are taken into consideration.

A more detailed description of the areas of responsibility of Formas will be found in Formas' strategies and research programmes.

The earliest date of commencement of projects is January 2010. Applications for funds may be made for up to two years.

Formas welcomes applications, preferably with an interdisciplinary – multidisciplinary orientation, from all areas of responsibility of the Council.  The criteria for the assessment and ranking of the applications are scientific and societal values for Formas' areas of responsibility. Gender perspectives should be taken into account in project proposals where this is relevant. Grants may be used as Swedish co-funding of EU projects with an R&D orientation.

The applications will be assessed by Formas' standing expert committees, which primarily are comprised by active and highly qualified researchers.

The postdoctoral programme is addressed to young researchers, with a doctorate, engaged on research in the areas of responsibility of Formas. A young researcher is a person who has been awarded a doctorate not more than five calendar years prior to the time of application, i.e. 1 January 2004, and not later than 1 November 2009. Parental leave, illness, military service or some other similar circumstance which prevented research activity during the time immediately after the award of doctorate may be a reason to make an exception from the five year rule. Applicants with a doctorate from a foreign university must have a permanent residence permit in Sweden.

The scholarship enables a visit of up to two years to be made to a foreign university or research institute. The visit may also be divided into several periods. If there are special reasons, a Swedish university or research institute may also be considered, but this must be different from that where the doctorate was awarded.
NOTE. For applications for funds for postdoctoral scholarships there are special rules. A detailed description of Formas policy and rules and the application procedure, and information on how the applications are assessed, are given in Formas Handbook 2009.

The call will close and the application has to be registered in FormasDirect at 24:00 hrs, 28 April 2009. Technical support from Formas is provided for until 16:45 on the last day of application. Please, make certain to submit your application in time before 16:45 in case that you will need technical support. Applications are to be made via an online form on Formas' website.

The Scientific Council of Formas will make its decision on applications on 23 November 2009. The results of the decision will be announced the next day on Formas' website.

For further information, contact:
Viktoria Halltell, Senior International Officer,
Tel. +46 8-775 4062
E-mail:

Queries of a general nature will be answered on weekdays April 20 - 28, 8.00 - 16.45 hrs on Formas' duty telephone +46 8-775 4005.

Queries relating to specific disciplines will be answered by the relevant Senior Research Officers.