Forests and people: health, well-being and small-scale private forest owners
Apply for funding for a research project that contributes to a deeper understanding of the importance of forests for human health and well-being and/or the conditions for small-scale private forest owners.
Subject area: Humanities and social sciences, Medicine and health, Natural and engineering sciences
Funding body: Formas
Applicant: Researchers with doctoral degree and employment at a Swedish HEI or authority
Application period: 19 March 2026 - 21 May 2026
Grant amount: SEK 7.5–10 million
Grant period: 3 or 4 years
Learn more and apply through the funding bodyAbout the call
The call “Forests and People: Towards a More Robust Knowledge Base on Health, Well-being and Small-scale Private Forest Owners” aims to strengthen scientific knowledge of the interactions between forests and people. It focuses both on how forests and forest environments contribute to human physical and mental health and well-being, and on the conditions, motivations and decision-making processes of small-scale private forest owners.
Forests play a vital role in Sweden as a natural resource, as habitats for biodiversity and climate regulation, and as spaces for recreation and well-being, while a large share of productive forest land is owned by private individuals. At the same time, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding how forest management, governance instruments and advisory systems can support both sustainable forest use and social values linked to health and well-being.
The call invites research that can generate new, interdisciplinary and practice-relevant knowledge to support informed decision-making, policy development and improved forest management practices that address multiple societal needs.
Who can apply?
The main applicant and participating researchers must hold a doctoral degree by the closing date of the call. The administrating organisation must be a Swedish higher education institution, certain research institutes, or a government agency with a research assignment.
Application
Apply by 21 May at 14:00 CET.