Grants for Medical Research

The Åke Wiberg Foundation supports medical research in Sweden by awarding grants to group leaders who obtained their doctorate within the past ten years and have developed an independent line of research. The foundation funds projects in both basic and clinical research. A key target group is newly appointed Assistant Professor (or equivalent time-limited career positions) who, after completing their PhD and postdoctoral training (preferably abroad), are now establishing a research group to address an important medical question. Grants are awarded to advance the research project and may be used for operating costs, equipment, or salaries for members of the research group. Typical grants range from SEK 400,000 to 600,000 per year.

Each year, the foundation also awards a special grant, known as the Åke Wiberg Major Grant, a three-year award of SEK 1.5 million per year (totaling SEK 4.5 million). It is given to the highest-ranked application in the scientific review process (no separate application is required). In addition to research funding, the recipient of the Åke Wiberg Major Grant also receives funds to organize a conference in their field of research.

For medical research grants, the following general rules apply:

• Funding is awarded for up to three years but is granted on a yearly basis, requiring a new application each year (except for the Åke Wiberg Major Grant, which is a three-year grant).

• Grants are primarily awarded to group leaders who obtained their PhD within the past 10 years (up to 4 years can be deducted for parental leave, military service, industrial research, or medical residency or equivalent clinical work).

• Applications must include:

  • • Project plan (max 10,000 characters including spaces)

    • CV of the applicant (max 5,000 characters including spaces)

    • Publication list (with the five most significant scientific publications clearly marked)

• The budget plan must specify project costs and provide a complete overview of other funding awarded to the applicant.

• Results from any previous grants from the Åke Wiberg Foundation must be reported.

• Grants are paid to the applicant’s institution. A confirmation is required at disbursement stating that deductions for shared project costs (overhead) will not exceed 18%. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Researchers who already have a single grant exceeding SEK 1 million per year or a total grant portfolio exceeding SEK 3 million per year (excluding salary funding) at the time of a first-time application are not eligible. This restriction does not apply when applying for a renewal grant for year 2 or 3 of a previously approved project. The aim is to focus funding on researchers in the early stages of establishing independence, before receiving large individual grants from other funders.