SSMF Postdoctoral Grants for Qualification in Medical Science (Sweden)

The grant is for postdoctoral research in medical science, and applications are accepted for both full-time and half-time positions. The grants for half-time positions are intended for persons who are clinically active in their regular employment, such as medical practitioners.

SSMF’s postdoctoral grants are administered by a Swedish University or University College, and the grant recipient must be employed by the grant administrator and must be resident (folkbokförd) in Sweden throughout the period of the grant.

For full-time research, the following applies:

• International: Years 1 and 2 abroad and year 3 in Sweden. Recipient that chooses salary should be employed by the Swedish Grant Administrator for the whole grant period. For postdoctoral research, which is located abroad, the recipient may choose to receive a stipend rather than a salary during years 1-2. A recipient that chooses a stipend during years 1 and 2 should be affiliated to the Grant Administrator during the first two years and employed with salary during year 3. Clinicians who choose to do an international postdoc can, upon request, distribute the last returning year over two years. Half-time research must then be combined with half-time clinical duty in Sweden.
• National: 3 years in Sweden. For full-time research in Sweden, applications can be accepted only for support in the form of grants for salary/employment. Recipient should be employed by the Swedish Grant Administrator for the whole grant period.

For half-time research, the following applies:

• National: 3 years in Sweden. Research is combined with 50 percent clinical practice in Sweden. For half-time research, applications can be accepted only for support in the form of grants for salary/employment. Recipient should be employed by the Swedish Grant Administrator for the whole grant period. Research time can be spent abroad if desired and after agreement with the Swedish Grant Administrator.

Amount of the Grant

• International full-time with salary:
  • The grant is SEK 1,150,000 per year for three years. During the third year when research is to be conducted in Sweden, the grant recipient is qualified for a returning grant in the form of a framework grant of SEK 500,000. Total grant amount over three years: SEK 3,950,000.
• International full-time with scholarship two years and salary one year:
  • Tax-free, personal scholarship of SEK 336,000 per year for two years. A supplement can also be applied for to cover increasing living expenses in the host country. The supplement is applied for separately and a supplement may be applied for to cover higher living expenses in the host country. The supplement is applied for separately and is payable after an individual assessment. During the third year when research is to be conducted in Sweden, the grant recipient must be employed with a salary by the Swedish Grant administrator and is then, in addition to the grant of SEK 1,150,000, qualified for a returning grant in the form of a framework grant of SEK 500,000. Total grant amount over three years (supplement excluded): SEK 2,322,000.
• National full-time with salary:
  • The grant is SEK 1,000,000 per year for three years and for full-time research at a Swedish university. Total grant amount over three years: SEK 3,000,000.
• National half-time with salary:
  • The grant is SEK 700,000 per year for three years and for half-time research in combination with 50 percent clinical duty in Sweden. Total grant amount over three years: SEK 2,100,000.

Eligibility

• Persons who have been awarded doctorates in a preclinical or clinical medical discipline, or within a subject area closely related to medicine, no more than three years before the end of the application period and latest January 31 the year following the current call, are eligible to apply. The time is calculated from the date of defense of thesis. This period may be extended by a maximum of 24 months for sick leave or parental leave, medical internship/specialist residency (AT/ST service) or military service.
• To be eligible, the applicant must have been active as a researcher in Sweden for at least one year. The applicant’s employer or supervisor must be able to confirm this upon request. Another requirement is that the applicant intends to carry out his or her future research in Sweden.
• SSMF Postdoctoral Grant must not be utilised in parallel with other national or international research grants/scholarships intended to cover living expenses. Smaller scholarships and grants intended for e.g. operating costs, conferences or travel costs can be accepted. For recipients of SSMF’s international postdoctoral grants where living expenses are not fully covered by the SSMF grant, supplementary scholarships or top up grants from the foreign host institution can be accepted.

For more information, visit Swedish Society for Medical Research.