Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research EU Horizon Europe Research Application Support

The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) has announced a call to support the preparation of research applications targeting the European Union’s (EU) Horizon Europe (HEU) framework program for research and innovation. This initiative aims to promote the internationalization of Swedish research and increase Swedish participation in HEU Pillar 2: Global Challenges & European Industrial Competitiveness.

📅 Opportunity Details

• Date Published: July 14, 2025
• Application Deadline: October 15, 2025
• Category: Grants
• Eligible Locations: Sweden

🏢 About the Program

The SSF has allocated SEK 10 million for this call, which is exclusively directed towards researchers in natural science, technology, or medicine at Swedish universities or research institutes. The funding is intended to support researchers applying for a HEU Pillar 2 Project Coordinator role.

Key Objectives:

• Promote internationalization of Swedish research.
• Stimulate increased Swedish participation in HEU Pillar 2.
• Ensure strategic relevance for Sweden by benefiting its future competitiveness.

Funding Details:

• Maximum Grant Amount: SEK 500,000 (including overheads).
• Grants can be used exclusively for salaries, travel, and consultants directly related to the preparation of the HEU application.

📜 Background

The SSF’s mission is to promote the development of strong research environments of the highest international standard, contributing to Sweden’s long-term competitiveness. This call aligns with the Swedish Government’s Horizon Europe strategy, as outlined in “En nationell strategi för svenskt deltagande i Horisont Europa 2021–2027”.

This is the 6th call from SSF for HEU-application support during the Horizon Europe period.

🎯 Scope of the Call

SSF will cover direct application costs for researchers employed by Swedish universities and research institutes applying for funding as Project Coordinators in HEU Pillar 2 projects.

Key Points:

• Projects must be in the fields of natural science, technology, or medicine.
• Funding will be released upon confirmation that the HEU application is registered as eligible.
• Applications evaluated as non-eligible by the EU will not receive funding.

🌍 Strategic Relevance

Applicants must demonstrate the strategic value of their proposed HEU research project to Sweden. The project should outline how it will enable future applications, products, services, or solutions to critical societal or industrial challenges.

Key Evaluation Criteria:

• National and international context of the research.
• Industrial or societal needs addressed by the project.
• Improvements over current practices.
• Expected users of the results (e.g., scientific colleagues, industry, clinics, public sector).
• Potential applications of the planned research.
• Planned project partners and their contributions to the project.

🎁 Benefits

Successful applications will receive SSF funding of up to SEK 500,000.

Reporting Requirements:

• Report of relevant costs.
• Application ID number of the submitted EU HEU Project application.
• Proof that the HEU application is considered eligible by the EU.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for SSF funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant must be employed at least 50% by a Swedish university, university college, or research institute capable of assuming coordination responsibility during the grant and project periods.
2. The applicant must have been the main Principal Investigator (PI) of a research project worth at least MSEK 5 in the past five years.
3. The applicant must be involved in an HEU application as a Project Coordinator in a Pillar 2 project in the fields of natural science, technology, or medicine.
4. Only original or Stage 1 applications towards HEU Calls published in HEU work plans are eligible.
5. The application must cover costs directly related to the HEU application (e.g., salaries, travel, consultants) incurred between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.
6. The HEU application must demonstrate strategic relevance for Sweden, with clear and evaluable descriptions of its impact.

📝 Application Process

• The call covers costs incurred between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.
• Applicants must submit their applications through the SSF portal.

Additional Resources:

• Download the Call Text (PDF)

📌 Application Deadline

The deadline to apply is October 15, 2025.

For more details and to apply, visit the official SSF portal:
Apply Here

• Successful applications will receive SSF-funding of maximum SEK 500 000.
• SSF will release the funding after receiving a report through the SSF-portal annual report form, including:
  • Report of relevant costs.
  • Application ID number of the submitted EU HEU Project application.
  • Proof that the HEU-application is considered as eligible by EU.