Please note: This text was translated by AI and has not been reviewed. In case of any uncertainties, the Swedish version applies.
News about the call
Information meeting, December 8, 13-30-14.30
Any changes to the call text will be listed below.
2025-12-03: Clarifications regarding the fact that state aid does not apply in this call have been made in the sections "Who the call is addressed to" and "Costs for which you can apply for funding".
2025-12-04: Clarifications regarding what is meant by running costs have been added to the section ‘Your application must contain the following’.
2025-12-08: Clarifications in different parts of the text that main applicants may submit no more than one project application to this call.
The climate transformation, which here includes both emissions reduction and adaptation, is one of the greatest societal challenges of our time and there is currently a wealth of research that highlights various aspects of this transformation. To strengthen the knowledge base and support the development of effective measures and policies, this call for proposals calls for knowledge syntheses that systematically compile existing research and knowledge.
The purpose of this call is to fund knowledge syntheses that, based on a well-justified review question, 1) clarify what the combined research conveys, in what respects research results are consistent or contradictory, what uncertainties and knowledge gaps exist, and 2) convey knowledge and recommendations for policy development, measures or new practices to relevant target groups based on conclusions drawn from the knowledge syntheses. It is also relevant for projects to compile and review studies of previous measures and their effects, as this can support further climate action.
The call is part of the national research programme on climate, which aims to provide knowledge for a profound transformation of society that addresses climate challenges. The programme funds research and innovation that can contribute to rapid reduction in emissions, adapt societies to a changing climate, and work to ensure that climate action is undertaken in line with long-term sustainable development. The call for knowledge syntheses is aimed at researchers with PhD working at an administrating organisation that is approved for all types of Formas calls, such as universities, colleges, research institutes, and government agencies with research assignments.
The knowledge syntheses funded can be disciplinary or interdisciplinary and can be carried out using different methodological approaches. However, it is a requirement that the syntheses focus on a clearly defined review question of relevance to the climate transformation, and that they are conducted in a systematic and transparent manner. Dialogue with other societal actors is encouraged.
Through structured and carefully conducted knowledge syntheses, projects are expected to support decision-makers in navigating complex issues related to the climate transformation and to facilitate the use of research results in practice and policy. The projects are also expected to identify needs for future research and innovation efforts.
There is currently a large body of research on climate transformation, which here includes both emissions reduction and adaptation. It is of interest to compile the accumulated knowledge related to a particular issue, to gain a deeper understanding of which research results are strong and consistent and to clarify this. Furthermore, to identify where there are still major uncertainties and also where there is a lack of research. It is also of interest to compile the policy implications of research and research results and the effects of different measures.
The call is made within the framework of the national research programme on climate, which has been established by the Swedish government to meet societal challenges posed by climate change in Sweden and globally. The programme’s goal is to contribute knowledge for a profound transformation of society that addresses climate challenges. This is done by funding research and innovation that can contribute to rapid emissions reductions, to adapt societies to a changing climate, and to ensure that climate action is conducted in line with long-term sustainable development.
Through syntheses of research and other knowledge, which also result in targeted information, decision-makers (in the public and private sectors and civil society) can be supported in navigating complex issues related to climate transformation. Knowledge syntheses can also help translate research findings into practice, solutions and policies in society. Syntheses of existing research and knowledge on climate transformation can also identify knowledge gaps and provide a basis for taking direction for further research and innovation initiatives.
The call is for knowledge syntheses. By knowledge synthesis we mean a systematic compilation and analysis of published research and other established knowledge, around a defined review question of relevance to the climate transformation. In some cases, it may also be relevant to formulate sub-questions to the overarching review question. The call is open to different types of knowledge syntheses, but they must all be based on a clearly defined methodology, clear selection criteria and a structured approach to literature search, compilation and analysis. In addition to peer-reviewed articles, relevant literature may include so-called ‘grey’ literature, such as reports from authorities and international bodies, and data series. Transparency must permeate the work, and the knowledge syntheses must give a fair representation of the state of research. Delimitations, choices and other considerations must be clearly documented and communicated.
The purpose of this call is to fund knowledge syntheses that, based on a well-justified question 1) clarify what the overall research conveys, in what respects research results are consistent or contradictory, what uncertainties and knowledge gaps exist, and 2) convey knowledge and recommendations for policy development, measures or new practices for relevant target groups grounded in conclusions based on the knowledge syntheses. It is also significant to compile and review studies of previous measures and their effects, which can support further climate action.
Regarding both the state of knowledge and the effects of measures, it is interesting to include both national and international perspectives. International knowledge may need to be interpreted to make it relevant to Swedish conditions. The question that frames the knowledge syntheses must be relevant to a Swedish context. This context may also include international institutions such as the EU or UN organisations.
The call is broad, and projects can be based on a variety of review questions of both qualitative and quantitative nature. Each knowledge synthesis must be based on a question that is important for the climate transformation and the projects funded in the call should together contribute to the overall objectives of the national research programme on climate. These objectives are to contribute knowledge for
- a profound transformation of society that addresses climate challenges
- a rapid reduction in emissions to net zero and, in the long term, negative emissions
- climate change adaptation with increased robustness and reduced vulnerability to the impacts of climate change
- climate action undertaken in line with long-term sustainable development where no one is left behind
Projects must be relevant to one or more of the themes and perspectives outlined in the strategic research agenda External link. of the national research programme on climate. Applicants can choose different cuts and focus. Through systematic compilation of research and knowledge, the state of knowledge in the field will be developed.
Knowledge needed for contributing to climate transformation should be the basis for the formulation of the review question and choice of methodology. The projects funded are expected to contribute, through structured and carefully conducted knowledge syntheses, to supporting decision-makers in navigating complex issues related to the climate transformation and to facilitating the use of research results in practice and policy, as well as identifying needs for future research and innovation efforts.
Different projects may have different target groups, for example, actors in the business sector working on applied solutions in the field, public administration working on policy and implementation, or actors involved in a specific sector. The target group should be justified and clearly stated in the application. Not all relevant target groups need to be identified in the application but can be added during the project. Research funders as well as other researchers should be target group for all projects where the results indicate a need for new research.
Each project must result in a report in English with a transparent description of the methodology and approach, including a structured account of the key elements of the compilation and analysis, an explicit discussion of delimitations, choices and other considerations, and conclusions that are clearly and transparently discussed in terms of validity, and in terms of reliability. We recognise that methodologies are different and that concepts such as validity and reliability can be used in different ways in different fields.
Each project must produce and disseminate targeted information that communicates the conclusions of the knowledge syntheses to relevant stakeholders. This can be in the form of policy briefs or in other formats, complemented by dialogue-based activities. In addition, each project is expected to result in at least one scientific publication.
The call is open to researchers with PhD from all disciplines. The main applicant must be active at an administrating organisation that is approved for all types of Formas calls, such as universities, colleges, research institutes, government agencies with research assignments. State aid rules do not apply to this call. Main applicants may submit no more than one project application to this call.
The knowledge syntheses can be disciplinary or interdisciplinary. Dialogue with relevant societal actors is encouraged.
Before you apply
All information about on what to include in your application, how to apply and the assessment process can be found in the text below.
Grants from this call may only be administered by administrating organisations that are approved for all types of Formas calls, such as Swedish universities, colleges, research institutes, or government agencies with research assignments.
Who can become an administrating organisation? External link.
To be eligible to apply for a grant in this call:
- The main applicant must have completed a doctoral degree (no later than the closing date of the call).
- Participating researchers must have completed a doctoral degree (no later than the call closing date). Other staff involved in the project do not need to have a doctoral degree.
- The proposed grantee must be the project leader on the application.
- There is no upper age limit for main applicants and participating researchers, but full-time retired researchers are not eligible for salary support.
Main applicants may submit no more than one project application to this call.
When applying for funding for a project, you can apply for both direct and indirect costs. Direct costs include salaries, equipment and travel. Indirect costs are costs shared with others in the organisation, such as administration, IT and rent for premises. Indirect costs are sometimes referred to as overheads.
State aid rules do not apply to this call, and thus organizations engaged in economic activity cannot apply for funding from Formas in this call.
Due to the war in Ukraine, it will not be possible to obtain funding for projects involving research collaboration with state or federal research institutions in Russia and Belarus.
This call is open to projects of one- or two-years duration with a maximum total budget of 4 million SEK per project.
Please note that the total amount of salary received for an individual researcher, doctoral student or other staff member may not exceed 100 per cent of a full-time position. This means that additional funds for salaries cannot be granted to researchers, doctoral students or other staff already receiving grants with full salary funding.
The project start date is 1 September 2026, and the start date is predefined in Prisma. The project has an availability period of 6 months. This means that the project has another six months after the end of the project period to finalise the project. It also means that the project start can be postponed by up to 6 months and the project should still be finalised on time.
You should write your application in English, as the review panel that assesses the application consists of both national and international reviewers. If you choose to write in Swedish, the application will be translated into English before assessment. Please note that you will not be able to see or make changes to the translated text before the application is forwarded to the review panel. The popular science description should be written in Swedish, while the summaries should be in both Swedish and English.
Under Swedish law, your application (including appendices) is considered a public document when it is received by us. This means that anyone can request and read your application. Information can only be concealed if it is covered by confidentiality under the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act (2009:400).
Formas has limited possibilities to cover personal data with confidentiality. Therefore, the application should not contain personal data for anyone other than the participants in the application. The application should also not contain sensitive personal data, unless this is clearly relevant to the project.
If the project is awarded funding, the popular science description and the project summaries in Swedish and English will be published in open project databases without a confidentiality check. Therefore, avoid writing sensitive information in these parts.
We currently see no problem with applicants using AI as a tool when preparing their applications. However, it is important that you are aware that the responsibility for fulfilling the commitments you make in the application lies with you as the applicant. As the applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the content of both the application and the project plan is correct and that the research is carried out as you have described. You certify this when the application is registered. Applicants must follow good research practice in the application process, which means that plagiarism, falsification or fabrication of content in the application must not occur.
At Formas, we are very keen to ensure that the projects we fund are carried out in a way that maximises positive and minimises negative impacts on the environment and climate. We therefore encourage applicants to design the project so that collaboration takes place primarily through digital forms of meeting and that necessary travel is carried out as climate-smart as possible. We also suggest that you already include in the project planning measures that minimise energy use and other resource consumption, emissions and waste. However, this will not be part of the assessment of your application.
How to apply
You apply to Formas in our application system Prisma. There you enter the information needed for your application. For this, you need a personal account.
All limits for the maximum number of characters refer to characters including spaces. It is recommended to use the Arial font in size 12 for the information entered in all text boxes.
The application must include a clear description of the project in the following sections:
Basic information
- Number of years covered by the application.
- Project title in Swedish and English (200 characters including spaces)
- Popular science description in Swedish (4 500 characters including spaces). The popular science description will, if the project is granted funding, be published in open project databases without a confidentiality check. The content of this field should therefore not contain sensitive information.
- Summary in Swedish and English (1 500 characters including spaces each). The project summaries will, if the project is awarded funding, be published in open project databases without a confidentiality check. The content of these fields should therefore not contain sensitive information.
Project description
Scientific approach for the knowledge syntheses (10,000 characters including spaces)
- Describe the purpose and question of the knowledge syntheses, and how these relate to the purpose and focus of the call.
- Describe the current state of knowledge in the project area, any knowledge syntheses published and how the proposed project is expected to contribute to clarifying and developing the state of knowledge.
- Describe and justify the methods that will be used in the project, by describing for example how you intend to work with:
- Delimitation of the review question: what criteria will be applied to include or exclude literature.
- Literature search plan: sources and preliminary search terms, and method for assessing the comprehensiveness of the searches. Are important studies at risk of being overlooked?
- Critical appraisal: assessment of the reliability of individual studies and their impact on overall reliability. If critical appraisal is not to be performed, this should be made clear.
- Analysis: compilation and possible weighting of qualitative and/or quantitative data, and how to describe and contextualise included studies.
- Presentation of results and conclusions.
- Describe how ethical considerations will be addressed in the project.
Societal relevance (6 000 characters including spaces)
- Describe how the project is relevant to society and the societal benefits to which the project results are expected to contribute.
- Describe how the review question and approach of the knowledge synthesis take relevant account of the needs and conditions of different societal groups.
- Describe how the project plans to communicate the results to relevant target groups.
- Describe the project's contribution to open science, for example through open access to publications, data, methods and collaboration with the surrounding community.
Implementation and competence (8 000 characters including spaces)
- Describe and justify the choice of project participants and in which parts of the project they contribute. Describe the competences and experience they bring to the project, in particular as regards the methodology to be used in the project.
- Describe and justify the activity levels of the project participants.
- Describe the project implementation plan, including timetable and budget. Describe the availability of infrastructure, materials and other resources required to implement the project.
- Describe planned deliverables.
- Identify any risks in the project and describe how they can be managed.
References included in the running text under the points above are indicated in a separate field (5 000 characters including spaces).
Budget
The project budget is presented in Prisma. Please note that the budget and budget specification should be written in English, a Swedish budget specification is not submitted for translation but is reviewed by the international review panel as it is. In Prisma, the entire amount applied for is written out, for example, SEK 1 million is written: SEK 1 000 000.
The budget is described in terms of:
Salaries, including social fees for each project participant. The amount you can be granted for salaries for an individual researcher, doctoral student or other staff may never exceed one hundred per cent of a full-time position. This also means that someone who has full salary funding for the entire duration of the project cannot receive additional funds for salary. Researchers on full-time retirement cannot receive funding for their own salary.
Percent of salary refers to the percentage of the applicant's full-time salary that corresponds to their salary in the project.
Activity level in the project refers to the percentage of a full-time position that the participant contributes. It shows whether the applicant contributes in-kind or other funding to complete the project.
Running costs include, for example, consumables, travel and conferences. It can also refer to publication in journals and databases that apply open access. Formas only grants funding for certain author fees. Read more under the heading Publishing External link. costs. Specify operating costs in accordance with the practices of the administrating organisation.
This also refers to research services, technical expertise, consulting services and similar services purchased or licensed from external actors on market terms and used exclusively for the project.
Equipment and depreciation costs. Specify equipment and depreciation costs for equipment if relevant to the application.
Premises. You can apply for funding to cover the cost of premises if this is not yet accounted for within the project’s overhead. Specify the cost of premises in accordance with the practices applicable to the administrating organisation.
Total applied/Subtotal refers to costs already indicated in the previous budget tables and which will be automatically transferred to these items.
Indirect costs refer to overhead costs.
- Universities and colleges may add a surcharge for indirect costs in accordance with the full-cost principle they apply. Universities and colleges only need to report eligible costs corresponding to the grant amount separately in their accounts.
- The following organisations may, when participating in the project with non-economic activities, include actual indirect costs up to a maximum of 45 per cent of their eligible personnel costs: research organisations that are:
- limited companies or trading companies in which the state exercises direct or indirect legal control, or
- foundations in which the government appoints one or more board members
The condition of a maximum of 45 percent applies provided that the organisation receives funding from the government to conduct independent research. If the organisation also conducts economic activities such as contract research, these activities must be reported separately. If the organisation participates in the project with economic activities, the condition regarding other project partners below applies.
- limited companies or trading companies in which the state exercises direct or indirect legal control, or
- The following organisations may, when participating in the project with non-economic activities, include actual indirect costs up to a maximum of 45 per cent of their eligible personnel costs: research organisations that are:
- Other project partners may claim actual indirect costs, but no more than an amount corresponding to 30 percent of their eligible personnel costs.
If funds are to be transferred from the administrating organisation to another organisation participating in the project, the overhead cost of the receiving organisation can be applied instead to the funds transferred. Explain and account for the different overheads in the budget specification. The total overhead cost for the project must be stated in the budget table. Formas does not grant funds for overheads on costs that you write off for equipment or premises.
- Other costs refer to funds that are not applied for but are relevant to completing the project. An example is co-financing from partners or if the project receives funds from other sources.
- Total cost refers to a budget summary.
- Budget specification refers to explaining the budget in words. Indicate the breakdown of the grant requested in terms of amount per year and total amount per organisation if funds are to be transferred to another organisation. Provide a brief justification for the salary costs indicated in the budget. All other costs should be justified, such as participation in conferences, fees for open access to publications and data, etc. A description of the total budget of the project, including funding from other sources, should also be included. The budget specification is part of the assessment.
Ethics
You must indicate whether there are specific ethical aspects to the project. In this case, you should describe what the ethical issues are and how you plan to address them. For example, this could be research using personal data or research involving experiments on humans or animals.
If your research involves humans, human tissue or sensitive personal data, you will need to submit an application for ethical review to the Ethical Review Authority and have it approved. If you are conducting experiments on animals, you will also need approval from an animal ethics committee. You can apply for this in the Swedish Board of Agriculture's e-service.
You must state in your application whether or not you have a current ethical approval. If you do not, and your application is granted funding, you must have ethical approval before the described experiments begin.
If your research is not expected to involve anything that requires ethical approval, you should state this, and justify how and why.
Classifications
Formas uses the project's classifications in analyses and documentation at an overall level. The classifications are made by the applicant specifying the subject area, research topic (SCB code), at least one global sustainable development goal to which the project can contribute, and keywords.
- Subject area
Select a minimum of one and a maximum of three subject areas and add a subheading.
- Research topic (SCB code)
Select a minimum of one and a maximum of three research topics and two sublevels that create the merged code.
- Global Sustainable Development Goals
Indicate at least one and up to three SDGs that the project can contribute to in order of relevance.
More on the meaning of the goals. External link.
- Keywords
Please provide at least one and up to three keywords that describe the project.
Administrating organisation - the organisation receiving the grant
In this call, only applicants from administrating organisations that are approved for all types of Formas calls can submit an application. Approved administrating organisations are listed as preselected in Prisma.
- Select your administrating organisation in the drop-down list.
- Select residence in the drop-down list.
Participants
- The main applicant invites participants to the application in Prisma.
- A participating researcher is a researcher with a PhD who is considered a co-applicant for the project.
- It is also possible to have participating administrators, they are not involved in the project, but people who help you fill in the application form. Participating administrators cannot register the application, the main applicant must do that.
- All participants must have created their own personal account in Prisma.
- The main applicant invites the participants to the application by searching their first and last name and e-mail address in Prisma (please note that exact spelling of name and e-mail address is required).
CV
The project leader and participating researchers retrieve the data from their respective personal accounts in Prisma and add them to the application. Applicants should check in good time that their CV in Prisma is complete and up-to-date. If participating researchers have not accepted the invitation to participate or have not filled in the mandatory fields correctly, the main applicant will not be able to complete the registration of the application. Participants who are not co-applicants do not have the possibility to attach CV information, instead their expertise in the project should be described in the project description.
The following CV information should be added to the application:
- Education
- Doctoral education
- Bachelor’s and master’s education
- Work experience
- Current employment and longer relevant previous employment
- Postdoctoral fellow positions
- Research exchanges relevant to the research described
- Longer breaks in research (e.g. parental leave, illness, military service or political appointments)
- Qualifications and awards:
- Docentship (associate professor)
- Other qualifications including publication summary:
- Under other qualifications, list other qualifications, such as popular science publications and documented experience of collaboration and research communication (max. 10).
- Here, the main applicant and participating researchers provide a brief summary of their publication history, for the most recent five-year period and in total if the applicant's active research time is longer than five years (max 800 characters including spaces). This summary should include the following:
- Number of publications of various types (such as articles in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, books and other monographs, conference contributions, popular science contributions)
- The summary should not include information on Journal Impact Factors or any other type of metric used to rank publishers or journals.
Publications
The main applicant and participating researchers list their most relevant publications. Up to ten publications can be listed per person. Publications should be linked from the applicant's personal profile in Prisma.
Appendices
The following appendix can be uploaded if relevant to the application:
Annex 1: Illustrations. If figures, tables or images are needed to describe the project idea, these should be appended. At most one appendix of 4 MB in PDF format can be uploaded.
After you have submitted your application
Formas verifies that the application meets the formal requirements set out in the call. If the application does not meet the requirements, it will be rejected.
The following requirements will be checked in this call:
- The administrating organisation has signed the application within seven calendar days of the call’s closing date.
- The application has not been rejected by the administrating organisation.
- The focus of the application falls within Formas' areas of responsibility.
- The focus of the application falls within the scope of the call.
- The application is complete, i.e. it contains all the information that is mandatory.
- The requirements for project leaders, project participants and organisations under Requirements for you and your organisation are met.
- The main applicant responsible for other projects or activities funded by Formas has submitted any requested reports by the stated deadline.
All applications are assessed by an external review panel based on what is described in the application. It is therefore important that the application is as clear as possible in its content and that all important and relevant information is included.
In this call, Formas may apply a portfolio perspective to enable funding of projects that address a wide range of areas and that fall within the scope of the call. The portfolio perspective is applied by Formas only after each application has been assessed on its own merits.
Applications are assessed based on the following criteria:
Scientific approach for knowledge synthesis
- The question for the knowledge synthesis is clear, appropriately delimited and in line with the purpose and focus of the call.
- The project addresses an urgent review question and clarifies and develops the current state of knowledge.
- The project’s choice of method is appropriate.
- The project addresses ethical considerations in the research in a satisfactory manner.
Relevance to society
- The question for the knowledge synthesis is of relevance to society and can contribute significantly to the purpose and focus of the call.
- The question and approach of the knowledge synthesis are designed with relevant consideration for the needs and conditions of different societal groups.
- The project’s expected results can significantly contribute to societal benefits
- The project plans appropriate targeted communication to relevant target groups.
- The project can significantly contribute to open science.
Implementation and competences
- The project team has the necessary competences and experience to successfully implement the project.
- The project implementation plan, including activity levels and budget, is realistic and appropriate.
- The project's description of how the expected results can be utilised is relevant and appropriate.
Our reviewers are currently not allowed to use AI tools to support the review of applications. There are several reasons for this. First, there is a high risk that uploaded information will be disseminated further. There are also risks related to confidentiality and the processing of personal data. Uploading an application or information from an application to any form of AI tool constitutes unauthorised dissemination of information. This applies not only to AI tools but also to many other services and tools for storing and sharing data.
Decisions on which projects are awarded funding are expected to be made on 16 June 2026. We will publish the decisions no later than the following day on Formas’ website and you will receive an email when you can view the decision in Prisma. Decisions on grants cannot be appealed.
All approved projects must submit a report to Formas on finances and project results three months after the end of the availability period. For projects longer than 18 months, a financial statement must also be submitted to Formas annually. All reports are submitted in Prisma.
How to report expenditure and results External link.
When reporting project results in Prisma, all approved projects must upload a report in English with a transparent description of the methodology and approach, including a structured account of the key elements of the compilation and analysis, an explicit discussion of delimitations, choices and other considerations, and conclusions that are clearly and transparently discussed in terms of validity, and in terms of reliability. In addition, separate, targeted information where conclusions from the knowledge synthesis are communicated to relevant actors. This may be as policy briefs or in another format. The requirements on how the projects are to be reported in terms of content and results will be stated in the project decision in the event of funding. Formas may also impose requirements regarding participation in conferences and similar events to create synergies and platforms for learning and knowledge sharing.
Results from research funded by Formas must be published with open access.
You must also have a data management plan for the data produced in the project. If you receive funding from us, you must prepare such a plan. The plan does not need to be submitted to us, but you must be able to present it on request. By signing our terms and conditions for grants, you certify that a data management plan will be in place before the research begins and that it will be maintained.
Formas regularly transfers data from approved applications to the Swecris External link. database, which is managed by the Swedish Research Council on behalf of the government. The following data from approved applications is transferred to Swecris and made available as open data:
- Project title in Swedish
- Project title in English
- Summary in Swedish
- Summary in English
- Estimated project duration (start date and end date)
- Total amount granted
- Name of coordinating organisation in Swedish
- Name of coordinating organisation in English
- Organisation number of coordinating organisation
- Research subject SCB code
- Names of applicants and participants
- Gender of applicants and participants
- ORCID of applicants and participants.
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