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Attract, integrate and retain international excellence 2024 ht

Many international researchers who are in Sweden with funding from the EU´s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions move from Sweden after completing the MSCA-project. This offer makes it easier for employers in business, research institutes and public actors (outside the university and college sphere) to hire a researcher who has completed a MSCA-project in Sweden. It is an opportunity to meet organizations´ needs for excellence in the researchers´ specialized areas and create conditions for the researchers to stay in Sweden.

The offer in brief

What can you apply for?

Funding to cover the salary costs of employing an identified PhD MSCA researcher who is in Sweden.

Who can apply?

Companies, public organizations and research institutes outside universities and university college.

How much can you apply for?

It is possible to apply for funding of up to SEK 500,000. The grant may amount to a maximum of 100 percent of the total eligible costs for employment corresponding to full-time 6 months.

Important dates

    • Call text for the offer

    Tip: To create a PDF with all the information about the offer click Ctrl+P and select PDF to save the content.

    • The call for proposals addresses employers with an identified need for international excellence, where financial recruitment support can make a difference. Actors outside academia can apply, i.e. large, small and medium-sized companies, research institutes and public organizations.

      Proposal shall apply to the recruitment of an identified MSCA Fellow who has recently completed his dissertation or alternatively completed his postdoc in Sweden.

      Fellows who have or have had a Swedish host organization during their fellowship but have defended their thesis abroad are also eligible. Proposal can also be sent in shortly before the doctoral degree has been obtained, however a doctoral degree is required to start the project.

      In this call for proposals MSCA Fellows means the researchers who, with a Swedish host institution, have been funded by the following parts of the EU research program Horizon 2020 (Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions), Horisont Europa, Vinnova or the Swedish Research Council:

      • Innovative Training Networks (ITN) / Doctoral Networks (DN)
      • Individual Fellowships (IF) / Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF)
      • Cofund Doctoral Programme or Cofund Fellowship Programme
      • European Fellowship Seal of Excellence (Vinnova or the Swedish Research Council)

      Proposal requires good anchoring between employer and identified MSCA Fellow. The purpose is to make it easier for foreign researchers who are in Sweden to establish themselves in the Swedish labor market and to demonstrate to the Swedish labor market the competence that the group of MSCA-funded researchers possesses.

      Vinnova offers recruitment support of a maximum of SEK 500,000 for the equivalent of 6 months of full-time employment.

      The call for proposals addresses employers with an identified need for international excellence, where financial recruitment support can make a difference. Actors outside academia can apply, i.e. large, small and medium-sized companies, research institutes and public organizations.

      Proposal shall apply to the recruitment of an identified MSCA Fellow who has recently completed his dissertation or alternatively completed his postdoc in Sweden.

      Fellows who have or have had a Swedish host organization during their fellowship but have defended their thesis abroad are also eligible. Proposal can also be sent in shortly before the doctoral degree has been obtained, however a doctoral degree is required to start the project.

      In this call for proposals MSCA Fellows means the researchers who, with a Swedish host institution, have been funded by the following parts of the EU research program Horizon 2020 (Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions), Horisont Europa, Vinnova or the Swedish Research Council:

      • Innovative Training Networks (ITN) / Doctoral Networks (DN)
      • Individual Fellowships (IF) / Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF)
      • Cofund Doctoral Programme or Cofund Fellowship Programme
      • European Fellowship Seal of Excellence (Vinnova or the Swedish Research Council)

      Proposal requires good anchoring between employer and identified MSCA Fellow. The purpose is to make it easier for foreign researchers who are in Sweden to establish themselves in the Swedish labor market and to demonstrate to the Swedish labor market the competence that the group of MSCA-funded researchers possesses.

      Vinnova offers recruitment support of a maximum of SEK 500,000 for the equivalent of 6 months of full-time employment.

    • Please note that this call for proposals focuses on how MSCA Fellows is integrated into the new organization's activities and in Sweden. This results in expected descriptions of support, commitment and activities for this to take place both during and after the project period for which funding is sought.

      Sweden attracts successful international researchers who, with funding from the EU's research program Horizon 2020 and Horisont Europa Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), choose to move here to do a doctorate or complete their postdoc stay.

      Inom MSCA trains researchers in strategically important areas for business, research institutes and public organisations. Instead of being available for the Swedish labor market after completing their education, statistics show that a large part of MSCA Fellows leaves Sweden. This means that Swedish employers miss out on internationally prominent researchers.

      There are several reasons why MSCA Fellows is leaving Sweden. Difficulties integrating into the Swedish labor market, lack of knowledge about Swedish business and its actors, limited time in Sweden to build up own national networks and more. There is also ignorance among employers about MSCA Fellows and the skills resource that is actually available for recruitment.

      The transformation of society that is underway with digitalisation, globalization and the work to contribute to Agenda 2030, creates an increased need for new skills. This results in both an increased and a changed need for both specific and general competence, which MSCA Fellows should be able to satisfy in several cases.

      Through this call for proposals Vinnova wants to lower the thresholds for recruiting international excellence and give Swedish employers the opportunity to offer the employment of an MSCA Fellow. The project period with Vinnova funding is expected to be favorable for developing a long-term relationship between employers and MSCA Fellow aimed at integration in Sweden and increasing employers' interest in MSCA funding specifically within the new research program Horisont Europa.

      Please note that this call for proposals focuses on how MSCA Fellows is integrated into the new organization's activities and in Sweden. This results in expected descriptions of support, commitment and activities for this to take place both during and after the project period for which funding is sought.

      Sweden attracts successful international researchers who, with funding from the EU's research program Horizon 2020 and Horisont Europa Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), choose to move here to do a doctorate or complete their postdoc stay.

      Inom MSCA trains researchers in strategically important areas for business, research institutes and public organisations. Instead of being available for the Swedish labor market after completing their education, statistics show that a large part of MSCA Fellows leaves Sweden. This means that Swedish employers miss out on internationally prominent researchers.

      There are several reasons why MSCA Fellows is leaving Sweden. Difficulties integrating into the Swedish labor market, lack of knowledge about Swedish business and its actors, limited time in Sweden to build up own national networks and more. There is also ignorance among employers about MSCA Fellows and the skills resource that is actually available for recruitment.

      The transformation of society that is underway with digitalisation, globalization and the work to contribute to Agenda 2030, creates an increased need for new skills. This results in both an increased and a changed need for both specific and general competence, which MSCA Fellows should be able to satisfy in several cases.

      Through this call for proposals Vinnova wants to lower the thresholds for recruiting international excellence and give Swedish employers the opportunity to offer the employment of an MSCA Fellow. The project period with Vinnova funding is expected to be favorable for developing a long-term relationship between employers and MSCA Fellow aimed at integration in Sweden and increasing employers' interest in MSCA funding specifically within the new research program Horisont Europa.

    • The call for proposals is addressed to employers in Sweden outside academia who express skills needs that can be met with financial recruitment support. It can be large, small and medium-sized companies, research institutes and public organizations.

      Within this call for proposals proposal must apply to the recruitment of an identified MSCA Fellow who has recently completed his dissertation or completed his postdoc in Sweden.

      Fellows who have or have had a Swedish host organization during their fellowship but have defended their thesis abroad are also eligible. Proposal can also be sent in shortly before the doctoral degree has been obtained, however a doctoral degree is required to start the project.

      Proposal requires good anchoring between employer and identified MSCA Fellow.

      In this call for proposals MSCA Fellows refers to the researchers with a Swedish host institution funded by the EU's research program Horizon 2020, Horisont Europa (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions),  Vinnova or the Swedish Research Council:

      • Innovative Training Networks (ITN) / Doctoral Networks (DN)
      • Individual Fellowships (IF) / Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF)
      • Cofund Doctoral Programme
      • Cofund Fellowship Programme
      • European Fellowship Seal of Excellence (Vinnova/The Swedish Research Council)

      The call for proposals is addressed to employers in Sweden outside academia who express skills needs that can be met with financial recruitment support. It can be large, small and medium-sized companies, research institutes and public organizations.

      Within this call for proposals proposal must apply to the recruitment of an identified MSCA Fellow who has recently completed his dissertation or completed his postdoc in Sweden.

      Fellows who have or have had a Swedish host organization during their fellowship but have defended their thesis abroad are also eligible. Proposal can also be sent in shortly before the doctoral degree has been obtained, however a doctoral degree is required to start the project.

      Proposal requires good anchoring between employer and identified MSCA Fellow.

      In this call for proposals MSCA Fellows refers to the researchers with a Swedish host institution funded by the EU's research program Horizon 2020, Horisont Europa (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions),  Vinnova or the Swedish Research Council:

      • Innovative Training Networks (ITN) / Doctoral Networks (DN)
      • Individual Fellowships (IF) / Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF)
      • Cofund Doctoral Programme
      • Cofund Fellowship Programme
      • European Fellowship Seal of Excellence (Vinnova/The Swedish Research Council)

    • Activities for which funding can be applied for

      Funding for salary costs including mandatory employer fees during an employment period corresponding to 6 months full-time.

      Funding can be issued as de minimis support or as support for research and development projects in which the recruited researcher will participate. For the latter, it is required that the project has not started before proposal for support is made.

      Support grounds and eligible costs

      Our funding takes place through funding. Funding for organizations that carry out economic activities is covered by rules on state support. The rules govern, among other things, which types of costs and what proportion of them may be covered by funding.

      Read more about government support on our website

      There you will also find our general terms and conditions for funding and Instructions for eligible costs

      Funding in this call for proposals will primarily be granted as so-called support of minor importance (de minimis support). Funding under Regulation (EU) No 1407/2013 of 18 December 2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to support of minor importance.

      Please note that this type of support from various grant funders may amount to the equivalent of a maximum of 300,000 euros during the last three tax years. For this option, all applicant are required to attach a special certificate.

      For more information on these categories and the maximum support levels that may apply, see Support levels, definitions etc. for funding according to Vinnova's support scheme.

      Funding can also be given as support for research and development projects to be started in connection with the recruitment. Funding is given in such cases as support according to Article 25 of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 651/2014 (GBER). The project's activities must then be covered in their entirety by one of the categories Basic Research, Industrial Research or Experimental Development. Even in these cases, Vinnova's funding must refer to salary costs during an employment period corresponding to 6 months full-time. Other project costs require other funding.

      For project that are entirely carried out within an organization's non-financial activities, the entire requested amount can be granted. This mainly applies to research institutes and public organisations.

      Activities for which funding can be applied for

      Funding for salary costs including mandatory employer fees during an employment period corresponding to 6 months full-time.

      Funding can be issued as de minimis support or as support for research and development projects in which the recruited researcher will participate. For the latter, it is required that the project has not started before proposal for support is made.

      Support grounds and eligible costs

      Our funding takes place through funding. Funding for organizations that carry out economic activities is covered by rules on state support. The rules govern, among other things, which types of costs and what proportion of them may be covered by funding.

      Read more about government support on our website

      There you will also find our general terms and conditions for funding and Instructions for eligible costs

      Funding in this call for proposals will primarily be granted as so-called support of minor importance (de minimis support). Funding under Regulation (EU) No 1407/2013 of 18 December 2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to support of minor importance.

      Please note that this type of support from various grant funders may amount to the equivalent of a maximum of 300,000 euros during the last three tax years. For this option, all applicant are required to attach a special certificate.

      For more information on these categories and the maximum support levels that may apply, see Support levels, definitions etc. for funding according to Vinnova's support scheme.

      Funding can also be given as support for research and development projects to be started in connection with the recruitment. Funding is given in such cases as support according to Article 25 of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 651/2014 (GBER). The project's activities must then be covered in their entirety by one of the categories Basic Research, Industrial Research or Experimental Development. Even in these cases, Vinnova's funding must refer to salary costs during an employment period corresponding to 6 months full-time. Other project costs require other funding.

      For project that are entirely carried out within an organization's non-financial activities, the entire requested amount can be granted. This mainly applies to research institutes and public organisations.

    • A maximum of SEK 500,000 per project.

      Within the framework of this call for proposals 10 to 20 project are expected to be financed per year.

      A maximum of SEK 500,000 per project.

      Within the framework of this call for proposals 10 to 20 project are expected to be financed per year.

    • Conditions for us to assess proposal

      Vinnova will only assess applications that concern the employment of researchers who meet the following formal eligibility requirements:

      • Researchers must be in Sweden and not be employed outside the academy.
      • Researchers who completed their doctorate with MSCA funding in Sweden must have obtained a Swedish doctorate in order to be able to start employment outside the academy.
      • Disputed researchers who are doing or have done their postdoc with MSCA funding or Seal of Excellence funding in Sweden must have completed their Fellowship to be able to start employment outside academia.
      • Funding can only be applied for employment outside the academy.
      • Proposal must be written in Swedish or English.

      Vinnova will only assess applications from organizations such as:

      • does not belong to the academic sector.
      • looking for a Swedish workplace.

      Conditions for us to assess proposal

      Vinnova will only assess applications that concern the employment of researchers who meet the following formal eligibility requirements:

      • Researchers must be in Sweden and not be employed outside the academy.
      • Researchers who completed their doctorate with MSCA funding in Sweden must have obtained a Swedish doctorate in order to be able to start employment outside the academy.
      • Disputed researchers who are doing or have done their postdoc with MSCA funding or Seal of Excellence funding in Sweden must have completed their Fellowship to be able to start employment outside academia.
      • Funding can only be applied for employment outside the academy.
      • Proposal must be written in Swedish or English.

      Vinnova will only assess applications from organizations such as:

      • does not belong to the academic sector.
      • looking for a Swedish workplace.

    • What do we assess?

      Vinnova assesses based on the following criteria how well proposal corresponds to our expectations of the effects of the call for proposals. Please note that the parts of the application that concern scientific questions or challenges must be described in popular science terms.

      Potential
      • Assessment of how the recruiting organization has clearly identified a skills need and future development opportunities after the end of the project.
      • Assessment of MSCA Fellows's future development opportunities after the end of the project and how well MSCA Fellows's competence is expected to strengthen the organization.
      • Assessment of the possibilities for long-term establishment of MSCA Fellow in Sweden as well as the relevance of the project in a Swedish perspective through the employment of MSCA Fellow.
      Actors
      • Assessment of how well MSCA Fellows's skills and experience correspond and match the recruiting organization's needs.
      • Assessment of how well MSCA Fellows together with the organization can contribute to solving the need.
      Feasibility
      • Assessment of the recruiting organization's support in the form of concrete activities and plans for MSCA Fellow.
      • Assessment of synergies between MSCA Fellow and the recruiting organization. as well as the support the recruiting organization offers in the form of concrete activities.

      How do we judge?

      Assessment of applications takes place in competition with the help of external evaluator, appointed by Vinnova.

      What do we assess?

      Vinnova assesses based on the following criteria how well proposal corresponds to our expectations of the effects of the call for proposals. Please note that the parts of the application that concern scientific questions or challenges must be described in popular science terms.

      Potential
      • Assessment of how the recruiting organization has clearly identified a skills need and future development opportunities after the end of the project.
      • Assessment of MSCA Fellows's future development opportunities after the end of the project and how well MSCA Fellows's competence is expected to strengthen the organization.
      • Assessment of the possibilities for long-term establishment of MSCA Fellow in Sweden as well as the relevance of the project in a Swedish perspective through the employment of MSCA Fellow.
      Actors
      • Assessment of how well MSCA Fellows's skills and experience correspond and match the recruiting organization's needs.
      • Assessment of how well MSCA Fellows together with the organization can contribute to solving the need.
      Feasibility
      • Assessment of the recruiting organization's support in the form of concrete activities and plans for MSCA Fellow.
      • Assessment of synergies between MSCA Fellow and the recruiting organization. as well as the support the recruiting organization offers in the form of concrete activities.

      How do we judge?

      Assessment of applications takes place in competition with the help of external evaluator, appointed by Vinnova.

    • About our decisions

      How much each party in the project is granted in funding is shown in the decision. The basis for support appears in the decision and also governs which costs are eligible for support.

      Our decision to grant or reject a proposal cannot be appealed.

      Term for granted funding

      For granted funding our general terms and conditions for fundingapply. The terms contain, among other things, rules about project agreements, conditions for payment, follow-up, reporting and utilization of results.

      Current term can be found on our website, along with help to understand and comply with the terms

      Scientific publication must take place with open access in accordance with Vinnova's instructions.

      Supplementary special conditions can be decided for individual project.

      If you do not follow our term you may be liable for a refund. This also applies if you have been granted funding incorrectly or with an amount that is too high.

      About our decisions

      How much each party in the project is granted in funding is shown in the decision. The basis for support appears in the decision and also governs which costs are eligible for support.

      Our decision to grant or reject a proposal cannot be appealed.

      Term for granted funding

      For granted funding our general terms and conditions for fundingapply. The terms contain, among other things, rules about project agreements, conditions for payment, follow-up, reporting and utilization of results.

      Current term can be found on our website, along with help to understand and comply with the terms

      Scientific publication must take place with open access in accordance with Vinnova's instructions.

      Supplementary special conditions can be decided for individual project.

      If you do not follow our term you may be liable for a refund. This also applies if you have been granted funding incorrectly or with an amount that is too high.

    • This is how you apply

      To apply for funding, you fill in a web-based form in Vinnova's e-service for applications, which you can find via the button Apply here.

      There you also upload attachments:

      1. Project description
        It must be on a maximum of three A4 pages with 12-point text. It must include the purpose of the project linked to the call for proposals and contain a description that shows how MSCA Fellow's expertise will be utilized within the applicant organization's activities, which also includes work efforts for the organization's ongoing sustainability work. External network activities for the MSCA Fellow can preferably be included into the project.
      2. Letter from MSCA Fellow
        The letter must describe what employment within a non-academic organization entails and the expected career development as a result of this.
      3. CV for MSCA Fellow
      4. CV for mentor at the recruiting organization
      5. Letter of support from the prospective employer
        The letter must describe the expected added value of the recruitment of an MSCA Fellow. The letter must state the future agreed salary level. The letter of support must also contain a brief description of the organization so that it is clear which physical environment MSCA Fellow will work in such as physical workplace, financial capacity or resources, date of formation, number of employees and more.
      6. Form for de minimis support
        Mandatory for all applicants regardless of if de minimi support previously has been recieved or not.

      The attachments must be in PDF format. The structure of the project description must be in accordance with the assessment criteria.

      Keep in mind that the assessment panel consists of experts with competence in many different areas. In order to be judged fairly, we recommend formulating proposal so that it can be understood by experts who do not have detailed domain expertise. Be clear in describing the proposal's potential based on the assessment criteria.

      Keep in mind that it takes time to make a proposal. You can start filling in information, save and continue at a later time. When proposal is ready, you mark it as done. You can completely unlock proposal and make changes at any time, right up until the application deadline.

      Please mark proposal well in advance before the call for proposals closes.

      When the call for proposals has closed and proposal has been registered with Vinnova, a confirmation will be sent out by e-mail to you who are responsible for the user account, project manager and company signatory or head of department. It may take a few hours before you receive the email.

      If you have not received a confirmation by e-mail within 24 hours after the call for proposals has closed, please contact us.

      When the application period has expired, completion of proposal can only take place upon request from us.

      This is how you apply

      To apply for funding, you fill in a web-based form in Vinnova's e-service for applications, which you can find via the button Apply here.

      There you also upload attachments:

      1. Project description
        It must be on a maximum of three A4 pages with 12-point text. It must include the purpose of the project linked to the call for proposals and contain a description that shows how MSCA Fellow's expertise will be utilized within the applicant organization's activities, which also includes work efforts for the organization's ongoing sustainability work. External network activities for the MSCA Fellow can preferably be included into the project.
      2. Letter from MSCA Fellow
        The letter must describe what employment within a non-academic organization entails and the expected career development as a result of this.
      3. CV for MSCA Fellow
      4. CV for mentor at the recruiting organization
      5. Letter of support from the prospective employer
        The letter must describe the expected added value of the recruitment of an MSCA Fellow. The letter must state the future agreed salary level. The letter of support must also contain a brief description of the organization so that it is clear which physical environment MSCA Fellow will work in such as physical workplace, financial capacity or resources, date of formation, number of employees and more.
      6. Form for de minimis support
        Mandatory for all applicants regardless of if de minimi support previously has been recieved or not.

      The attachments must be in PDF format. The structure of the project description must be in accordance with the assessment criteria.

      Keep in mind that the assessment panel consists of experts with competence in many different areas. In order to be judged fairly, we recommend formulating proposal so that it can be understood by experts who do not have detailed domain expertise. Be clear in describing the proposal's potential based on the assessment criteria.

      Keep in mind that it takes time to make a proposal. You can start filling in information, save and continue at a later time. When proposal is ready, you mark it as done. You can completely unlock proposal and make changes at any time, right up until the application deadline.

      Please mark proposal well in advance before the call for proposals closes.

      When the call for proposals has closed and proposal has been registered with Vinnova, a confirmation will be sent out by e-mail to you who are responsible for the user account, project manager and company signatory or head of department. It may take a few hours before you receive the email.

      If you have not received a confirmation by e-mail within 24 hours after the call for proposals has closed, please contact us.

      When the application period has expired, completion of proposal can only take place upon request from us.

    • 2024-04-22

      Addition of text in section 4 "What do we finance?" under the heading "Activities for which funding can be applied for":

      Funding for salary costs including mandatory employer contributions during an employment period corresponding to 6 months full-time.

      Addition of text in section 4 "What do we finance?" under the heading " eligible costs":

      Please note that this type of support from various grant funders may amount to the equivalent of a maximum of 300,000 euros over the last three tax years. For this option, all applicant are required to attach a special certificate.

      2024-04-22

      Addition of text in section 4 "What do we finance?" under the heading "Activities for which funding can be applied for":

      Funding for salary costs including mandatory employer contributions during an employment period corresponding to 6 months full-time.

      Addition of text in section 4 "What do we finance?" under the heading " eligible costs":

      Please note that this type of support from various grant funders may amount to the equivalent of a maximum of 300,000 euros over the last three tax years. For this option, all applicant are required to attach a special certificate.

    We use matchmaking tools

    In this the offer we use matching tools. These tools should make it easier for employers and researchers to find each other

    Switch to Sweden - Linköping Science Park (linkopingsciencepark.se)

    Science to Business Matchmaking - Linköping Science Park (linkopingsciencepark.se)(Replaces former MSCA Talent AI Matchmaking)

    How to apply

    To apply for funding, you need to log in and complete an application form in our eServices portal. The application form contains questions about your project, the participants taking part in the project and your budget. 

    Please allow enough time

    Please keep in mind that it takes time to complete an application. Filling in the templates can take several days, since they're based on analyses you need to do. Therefore, start the application well in advance. You can start filling in your details, then save and continue at a later time.

    When you've completed your application, please mark it as done ("klar"). You can unlock and make changes to your application at any time until the call closes. If you unlock your application, you must mark it as done ("klarmarkera") if you want the application registered when the call closes. 

    This happens when the call for proposals is closed

    When your proposal has been registered, we email a confirmation to the person responsible for the user account as well as to the project manager and the signatory. This may take a few hours after the call for proposals closes. If you have not received a confirmation within 24 hours after the call for proposals closes, please contact us.

    When the call for proposals is closed, you cannot change or fill in any new information. Then you can only supplement your proposal if we ask for it.

    Who can read your proposal?

    Applications submitted to us become public documents. But we do not disclose information about the business, inventions or research results if it can be assumed that someone will suffer financial damage if the information is shown.

    This means that we must hand over the documents if someone requests them. But we keep confidential the information that we judge could mean financial damage if it is disclosed.

    This is how we handle public documents and confidentiality

    Apply here

    Any questions?

    If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

    Erik Litborn

    Utlysningsansvarig

    +46 8 473 31 98

    Sussi Trankell

    Administrativa frågor

    Teknisk support

    +46 8 473 32 99

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