NEWS Co-financing for the recruitment of young researchers, as well as planning grants and additional funding for applications or the allocation of EU funds, are included in the new strategic research initiative decided by the Vice-Chancellor.
Now, the importance of how well the university succeeds in both recruiting young researchers and securing research funding from the EU becomes even more critical indicators used by the government to allocate research funds. This is the basis for a new model for strategic research initiatives developed by the Research Support and Collaboration Office at the request of the Vice-Chancellor.
"We now have the opportunity to recruit more truly promising young researchers to one of Sweden's largest universities. Combined with increasing our competitiveness for EU funds and ultimately the government's research funds, we can strengthen our research moving forward," says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor.
Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University.
ImageMattias PetterssonThe model consists of three parts that together aim to increase the university's competitiveness. It includes planning grants for selected EU applications, additional funding for certain approved EU grants, and co-financing for approved grants from the Swedish Research Council to recruit associate senior lecturers.
"The model we have developed will provide researchers with higher incentives and better conditions to succeed in the competition for research funds, while also giving the university's departments better financial opportunities for recruiting future researchers," says Åke Brännström, Head of the Research Support and Collaboration Office.
Åke Brännström, Head of the Research Support and Collaboration Office.
ImageGabrielle BeansResearchers interested in planning grants for EU applications can expect a call for proposals in the autumn. These are aimed at consortium applications where Umeå University is the coordinating party, as well as researchers with the capacity to compete for ERC grants but currently have less than 50% research time. No application is expected to be needed for additional funding for certain approved EU grants and co-financing for assistant professor positions.
The Swedish Research Council will announce career support that facilitates the strategic recruitment of young researchers at the beginning of their careers. A total of four calls for proposals are planned: two in 2026 and two in 2027. From 2028, the government will begin evaluating how successful universities are in recruiting researchers for these positions.
Read more about the Swedish Research Council's career support
Contact Åke Brännström, Head of the Research Support and Collaboration Office