Background 

In June 2023, the Government decided to end the targeted funding for development research, with the consequence that the preparation process for this year's calls was cancelled. The aim of the development research grants has been to strengthen Swedish research relevant to poverty reduction and sustainable development in low-income countries and to address challenges linked to the global sustainable development goals. 

The University has decided to allocate parts of the Vice-Chancellor's available research funds to support development research at Lund University. The Faculty of Social Sciences will use the funds for various forms of support that together promote development research in both the short and long term. During 2024 and 2025, SEK 800 000 per year will be allocated to stimulate specific initiatives. The funds can be applied for in two calls, the first for activities in 2024 and the second for activities in 2025.

Purpose and conditions

The purpose of the call is to support the faculty's research within development research by stimulating specific activities.
Examples of activities include adapting an existing application to new funders, formulating a new research application, organising a workshop or spreading knowledge about the importance of development research in, for example, The Conversation. The funding can be used to finance working time corresponding to a maximum of one month or for other direct costs. This funding cannot be used for data collection or actual research.

The Faculty of Social Sciences’ researchers and teachers employed until further notice, including associate senior lecturers, who are active within development research, can apply. 

Each application can be awarded a maximum of SEK 200 000 (including OH). 

Granted funds must be used no later than 12 months after the decision date.

No later than 12 months after the decision date, a brief report is to be submitted describing how the funds have been used and what the implemented activities have resulted in. The report is to be sent to the faculty coordinator responsible for research.

Application

The application is to include the following:

• a brief (500-1000 words) description of the activity and how it contributes to promoting and strengthening the faculty's development research.
• a brief budget
• CV (maximum 2 pages)
• list of publications for the last 5 years 
• if the application concerns funding of working hours, the head of department (equivalent) must certify that a reduction in other work duties is possible during the period in question

Applications for funds in 2024 are to be sent to faculty coordinator Elin Hermansson, elin [dot] hermansson [at] sam [dot] lu [dot] se, no later than 1 December 2023.

Assessment

The application is assessed based on the description and the applicant's research merits. Decision on which applications are granted funding will be made by the dean no later than 19 December 2023.