Funding to develop research-related external engagement
PhD holders employed until further notice as senior lecturer or lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences, who do not have more than 30 percent of their position reserved for research, can apply for funding to develop collaborations with external actors. The aim is to enrich the faculty's research and highlight the role of the social sciences in society.
Background
The social sciences have an important role in creating a better understanding of, and helping to solve, problems and challenges in society. To succeed in this, we need external engagement – collaboration with organisations and actors outside academia. However, building relations and developing research with external organisations requires time and resources, and resources are rarely earmarked for external engagement. Thus, there is a need for funding that is specifically dedicated to the development of research collaborations with external actors. In the resource allocation for 2025, the Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences has set aside SEK 350 000 for the development of research collaboration.
The starting point is that external engagement may include a number of different contacts and activities, which means that relations are built and knowledge is spread, exchanged or generated between the university and actors in wider society.
The call for applications is intended for collaborations with non-academic organisations. It is not possible to apply for funding for collaborations with other higher education institutions.
Purpose
Granted funding is to be used to develop collaborations with external actors with an aim to enrich the faculty’s research and highlight the role of the social sciences in society.
Examples of what granted funding can be used for:
- Development of new research projects, e.g. by identifying a common problem and writing a research application with external actors.
- Development of forum to create relations with external organisations that have an interest in a long-term collaboration in a research area that can bring together several researchers (preferably from different departments) and generate different external engagement activities.
- Add external engagement activities to already ongoing research projects, e.g. by creating a network or seminar series for external actors with an aim to discuss research results and their significance for different organisations outside academia.
- Co-publications with external representatives or external engagement that aims to convert research results into practice-oriented methods or tools.
Terms
PhD holders employed until further notice as senior lecturer or lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences, who do not have more than 30 percent of their position reserved for research, can apply. The support covers costs corresponding to a maximum of 1.5 months of working hours per project. In addition to costs for working hours, it is also possible to apply for funding for certain other expenses such as travel and conference facilities. The requested salary costs, other expenses, and overhead costs are to be specified in the budget.
The application may involve cooperation with researchers from other faculties or higher education institutions, but the granted funding cannot be used to pay for working hours for researchers or others who are not employed at the faculty.
In conjunction with the end of the project, a brief report is to be submitted (approx. 1–2 pages), which describes how the funding was used and the results of the completed activities (e.g. applications and continued external engagement activities). The report is also to include a brief statement from the external collaborative partner about the significance of the collaboration for their organisation.
Granted funding is to be used at the latest 18 months after the date of the decision.
Application
The application is to include the following:
- Project description, max. three pages, including a statement of aims for the project, planned activities and the intended researchers and external partners for the project. It is not a requirement, but desirable, to include a letter of intent from external partners describing their expected contribution to the project.
- Brief budget.
- CV (max. two pages) of the principal applicant’s research credentials, including previous experience of research-related external engagement.
- Form where the applicant confirms that the application is approved by the head of department (or equivalent).
Application form (PDF 182 kB, new window)
Send the application to faculty coordinator Elin Hermansson, elin [dot] hermansson [at] sam [dot] lu [dot] se, no later than 30 April 2025.
Assessment
The applications are assessed by a working group consisting of representatives from the faculty’s External Engagement Council and Research Council. The decision on granting support is made by the dean.
The assessment of the applications is based on the following aspects:
- Selection of challenge/problem – its topicality and basis in the applicant’s previous research.
- The aim of the planned external engagement activities and the significance of these for the research and the external actors’ organisation.
- How well-developed the external engagement element is, including feasibility and potential to generate continued external engagement.
It is desirable, but not a requirement, that the application involves researchers from more than one department.
Contact
Elin Hermansson
Faculty Coordinator
+46 46 222 84 49
elin [dot] hermansson [at] sam [dot] lu [dot] se