FAQ

The fields are: labour market policy, the functioning of the labour market, and educational policy. Some more information can be found in the Information for applicants.

The application can be written in Swedish or English.
(However, the English form contains a section on page 1 where the applicant is asked to write a summary in Swedish).

A good application should contain a clear description of the objectives and questions of the project, as well as how the applicant intends to proceed to answer them, including a discussion of what data is required and how the data will be acquired.

Applications can be submitted both by researchers in Sweden and abroad. However, there are restrictions when it comes to data access outside Sweden. Importantly, no Swedish register data is accessible outside of EU countries.

No, IFAU must have received the electronic application by the application deadline at the latest for the application to be considered. The original document can be sent by regular mail on the day of the application deadline, even if it takes a few days for the mail to be delivered to IFAU.

Yes. It is also possible to be the main applicant on several applications.

If a defence date has been scheduled before the planned starting date of the project (January 1 next year, for example), it is possible to apply. The applicant must immediately notify IFAU if the defence does not take place for some reason. If a grant from IFAU is approved, the actual payment of the grant will, however, be contingent on the defence actually having taken place and the thesis being awarded the grade of "pass".

ORCID or civic registration number is compulsory.

The funds are to be administered by a university or an established research institute. This can be considered as IFAU thus getting assurance (by a signature from the head of department or equivalent) that the funds will be used for research with access to the infrastructure that normally exists in established research environments.

In total, IFAU awards about SEK 5.6 million every year (2.8 each within the respective areas mentioned above). The awarded grants are usually distributed among several different projects, and it is possible to apply for funding for one or two years.

Yes. If the application concerns a two-year grant, the money can be used according to plan for two years. If the application is for one year but the project will start during the summer, it is better to apply for a two-year project.

Payroll taxes: Contact the administrative staff at your department/equivalent who can let you know the relevant figure in percentage for payroll taxes.

These are entered in the section “project costs/indirect costs (OH)” on the form. (Examples of OH are office space and administrative support).

IFAU provides complete funding of OH, so no co-funding is needed.
You state your actual indirect costs in the application form.

IT costs are to be entered under the heading “Other costs”.

No, it is sufficient that the main applicant and the Head of Department/Institute sign the original that is to be sent by regular mail to IFAU.

See info here. Blank spaces are not included in the number of characters. Appendix 1 should contain a description (under fixed headings) of:

• The objective, specific questions, and added value of the project and its relation to previous research (max 5,000 characters).
• The project’s policy relevance in relation to the needs of society and IFAU’s assignment (max 1,500 characters).
• Study design, work plan, and implementation (max 4,000 characters).
• Ethical considerations (max 2,000 characters).

For the section budget/finances: there is no limit to the number of characters.

IFAU prefers to receive the application and the appendices as one file.

Payments are made on a quarterly basis and usually in advance. IFAU usually makes payments for quarters 1 and 2 at the end of March.
Thus, if a research grant is awarded from 2024, the first payment will be made at the end of March 2024, and then payments are made on a quarterly basis.

Yes, the actual starting date of the project can be postponed somewhat, for example until after the summer of the same year. But IFAU needs to follow the payment plan, i.e. the money needs to be paid out during the year/years for which the applicant has been awarded funds (otherwise the funds will be forfeited or it will affect IFAU’s possibilities for paying grants to other applicants). It is usually not difficult for applicants to get an extension of the grant.

According to the signed contract, an economic report concerning the previous year should have reached IFAU by March 31 at the latest. The document “Financial report on grant from IFAU” shows how the costs are to be summarized.