The annual open call changes form - bigger and longer projects
In the autumn of 2024, Formas plans to open a new call for research projects aimed at researchers with doctoral degrees. The call for research projects was previously part of our annual open call but will now be spun off into a separate call.
The annual open call is Formas’ biggest call. For 2024, we are adjusting the call so it can better contribute to addressing the major challenges facing Sweden and the world. Concretely, this means that the annual open call will be divided into two separate calls: a call for early-career researchers and a call for research projects. The new call for research projects will allow both bigger and longer projects than the previous call.
“Bigger and longer projects is something that the research community has been requesting for a long time,” says Linda Bell, head of department at Formas. “The change is partly about improving opportunities for more risk-taking in research, and partly about promoting continuous and long-term knowledge development within Formas’ areas of responsibility.”
We asked the research community and it responded
The desire for bigger and longer projects is one of the clearest messages from the research community in the survey conducted earlier this year in October. In the survey, we asked questions about the pros and cons of the existing call. Among the advantages, three responses in particular stand out: 1) that there is no limit on how the research question can be formulated; 2) that it is an annual call; and 3) that it does not require co-funding or co-participants from outside of academia. The disadvantages are mainly: 1) the current limitation in project time and budget, which makes it difficult to fund PhD students; 2) the success rate, which is perceived to be too low; and 3) that feedback on applications is limited or unclear.
“We are happy that so many took the time to respond to the survey,” says Maria Rogell, who works with developing the new call. “We have received a lot of insights and ideas that we can use as we develop the call.”
More information about the new call for research projects in 2024
Formas is now working to complete the new call and plans to open it for applications in the autumn of 2024. We will be publishing more information about the call on our website in the spring of 2024 and will provide information in webinars in connection with the call’s opening. Sign-up for our newsletter to stay updated.
Are you an early-career researcher?
In February 2024, we will be opening a new career support aimed at early-career researchers. Read more: Promising researchers contribute to a future-proof society.