Royal Foundation - The Royal Scholarship

The Royal Scholarship (Queen Silvia Jubilee Foundation)

You will receive a grant of tax-free grant of 150,000 SEK (about 13,500 EUR) for your PhD thesis on the subject of children and disability. The Foundation awards 8 such grants each year. In the past, smaller projects have sometimes been funded with 50,000 SEK (approximately 4,500 EUR). The money will be paid directly to you. Each year, the Foundation sets a specific research topic, which is announced in the call for applications. The topic for 2026 is the evaluation of measures that mitigate the effects of disability in children. The funding comes from the Queen Silvia Jubilee Foundation, which was established in 1993 to mark the Queen’s 50th birthday, with donations from the Swedish public.

Who can apply

• Level: You have been admitted to a PhD programme at a Swedish university or university of applied sciences.
• Proof: You may submit your certificate of admission for this PhD programme.
• Field: Your research focuses on children and disability and ties in with the theme announced for this year.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, provided they are studying at a Swedish higher education institution.
• Supervisor: Your main supervisor will write a letter of recommendation to support your application.

How to apply

You must apply online via the Foundation’s application system between 1 September and 1 October. Your application and supporting documents must be received by 1 October. The Board of Trustees will make its decision in December and announce the results by 30 December. Queen Silvia will personally present the grants at the Royal Palace in Stockholm at the end of January.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is narrowly defined: you must be a PhD student in Sweden working on topics relating to children and disability, and your project should align with the relevant annual theme. As a result, the pool of eligible applicants is small. With 8 grants available each year, your chances are good if you address the topic effectively and have a clear research plan as well as a convincing supporting letter from your supervisor. A focused application that aligns with the advertised theme will be rated more highly than a broad one.