Åke Wiberg Foundation - Humanities and Social Sciences

What the Åke Wiberg humanities and social sciences grant gives you

Following completion of your PhD, you will receive a personal research grant of up to 400,000 SEK (about 35,000 EUR) for a specific research project. You may use these funds to cover your research time or other project costs, such as salaries or research fellowships (fixed payments) for members of your research group, but not your own salary. If you move to another institution, you will retain the grant as long as the project remains the same. The Åke Wiberg Foundation is a major Swedish research funder. Over the last ten years, it has awarded over 420 million SEK to more than 3,300 projects.

Who can apply

• Degree: You must hold a PhD. A Master’s degree on its own is not sufficient.
• Field: Your project falls within the field of the humanities or social sciences.
• The project: This is a specific research task that is not part of your regular duties at a university or higher education institution.
• What is not funded: Studies undertaken as part of a PhD, travel to conferences, computers and equipment, and the printing of the dissertation (provided that no costly illustrations are required).
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the Foundation’s online system between 1 June and 17 September each year. Your application must include a project plan, a CV, a budget for the first year of the project and, where relevant, a short bibliography. You may submit your application in Swedish or English. Applications are assessed in the autumn. You will be notified of the outcome in early December, and funding may commence the following January.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding is aimed at a specific target group: researchers who already hold a PhD in the humanities or social sciences and are pursuing a specific project outside their regular work. This means the pool of applicants is narrower than for open scholarships for students. However, as the humanities and social sciences cover a very broad spectrum, fierce competition for the limited funding is to be expected. A clear, well-thought-out project plan and an impressive list of publications are crucial to standing out from other applicants. Please submit your complete application in good time before the September deadline, as incomplete applications will not be considered.