Call for applications for internationalisation funding for prominent research environments

This call for funding for doctoral students is part of the faculty's ambition to increase the internationalisation of research through increased exchange with prominent research environments outside Sweden. The application is open until June 9, 2024.

Background and purpose

This call is part of the faculty's ambition to increase the internationalisation of research through increased exchange with prominent research environments outside Sweden. In the faculty's budget for 2024, SEK 900,000 is allocated for these exchanges through applications in competition.

These advantageous travel grants of SEK 300,000 per doctoral student aim to give doctoral students who have shown good results a financial opportunity to stay at a foreign university for a longer period of time.

The aim of the visit is for the doctoral student to conduct research in a stimulating environment, build up his/her international academic network, make progress with his/her thesis work and initiate potential future collaborations.

The call places high demands on the receiving environment being both qualified in the area in question and having the potential to contribute to a fruitful stay.

Criteria for applying doctoral students

The following criteria must be met and described in the application in order for it to be considered.

• The stay must be at least 3 months in 2024 or spring 2025.
• The doctoral student must have demonstrated particular progress in his/her doctoral studies and be at least in line with the regular pace of study, taking into account illness, parental leave and similar circumstances.
• The doctoral student must have successfully completed a half-time or licentiate seminar.
• For doctoral students writing a compilation thesis, at least one scientific article must have been published in a reputable journal in their field of specialization, or have had at least 3 conference papers accepted at highly ranked international conferences.
• For doctoral students writing a monograph, at least half of the thesis work is required to be completed and participation in at least one international conference. The thesis work relates to the planned part of the doctoral studies that are not courses according to the current ISP.
• The doctoral student should have experience of collaborating with external researchers and preferably have co-published.

Criteria for the receiving institution

The following criteria must be met and described in the application in order for it to be considered.

• The department and/or the university must be internationally recognized in the research area
• The receiving supervisor must be an internationally recognized researcher, for example, demonstrated by one or more of the following points:
  • Highly cited in their subject or otherwise highly ranked according to subject-relevant metrics.
  • Have published crucial works in the subject area.
  • Recipients of external research funding from donors such as ERC, NSF, etc.
  • Awarded or otherwise recognized for their research by an external organization with a high reputation.
  • Extensive experience of supervision of PhD students and postdocs.
• The receiving department should have a large number of senior researchers and doctoral students in the intended environment and adjacent research subjects. If the environment is smaller, there are special requirements for the receiving supervisor to have high availability.

What should be included in the application?

• CV of the applicant doctoral student.
• Updated ISP from the research database where completed milestones and courses must be shown.
• Publications that the applicant refers to in order to meet the criteria above.
• A motivation (2-3 pages) stating the purpose of the research visit and expected results.
• Extended CV of receiving researcher.
• A certificate from the principal supervisor or subject representative that the doctoral student has distinguished himself or herself through special achievements or achievements. For doctoral students who intend to submit a monograph, special emphasis is placed on this certificate.
• Certificate from the receiving department that you will receive the doctoral student and what resources etc. will be provided.
• Budget (travel, accommodation, subsistence allowance abroad, etc.). The budget may only include expenses that are justified by the student's own doctoral studies. The budget must contain clear accounts and calculations of, for example, foreign subsistence allowances for the entire stay.
• Co-funding of the department is considered meritorious. The department can contribute funds to cover expenses in connection with the stay. Any co-financing must be stated in the budget and certified by the head of department.  
• Plan for possible future collaborations.

How and when should the application be made?

The application is sent by the head of department and submitted to the Council for Doctoral Education (FUR), which decides on the support.

• The application must be received by FUR no later than June 9, 2024. The application should be sent to Stefan Pettersson.
• Applications are reviewed and decided by FUR.
• The selection is made with regard to each applicant's particular ambitions. Important assessment points include the applicant's previous study and work qualifications, the goals and plan for the stay abroad, as well as the overall picture provided by the application and the inclusive certificates.

What happens next?

• Those who have applications approved will receive additional information about financial management of running costs.
• The applicant is responsible for any administrative measures in relation to the stay, such as arranging accommodation, visas, residence permits, etc.
• Two months after the end of the stay, a written report and a summary of costs must be submitted.
• After the visit, the scholarship recipient will hold an open seminar and present his/her experiences.