VR Application Support Programme – Medicine and Health 2026

Who can benefit?


Applicants for:

• Research Project Grants (Projektbidrag)
• Starting Grants (Etableringsbidrag)
• Grant for research time in a clinical environment (Bidrag till forskningstid i klinisk miljö)
• International Postdoc Grants

Registration

Sign up at this link! (Registration form)

Programme Structure

The programme consists of two parts. You can register for one or both parts. 

1) Information Session with Q&A

Date and time: 20 January 2026 at 13:00-15:30
Target group: Primarily early-career researchers; however everyone who has an interest is welcome.
Venue: Belfragesalen, D15 at BMC. A livestream option is available for individuals who are unable to attend the event in person - choose online option in the registration form. 
Main organiser: Future Faculty (link to web page)

Content:

• Learn about VR calls, review process, and how to meet evaluation criteria from
  • Madeleine Durbeej-Hjalt, The Swedish Research Council´s Secretary General for Medicine and Health
  • Lena Uller, Professor and experienced VR reviewer
• Get inspired by successful applicants having received
  • VR Starting Grant, Karin Ernits
  • VR International postdoc grant, Natalie Andersson
• Submit questions in advance or ask during the session.

Registration deadline: 15 January 
 

2) Workshop & Peer Review Session

Date and time: 10 February, 2026 at 13:00-16:00
Target group: Anyone planning to apply for funding from the Swedish Research Council (VR), irrespective of the specific call.
Venue: Belfragesalen, D15 at BMC. A livestream option is available for the first part of the workshop (presentations) - please see below. 
Main organiser: The Faculty´s Career Support (link to web page)

Content: 

• Insights from experienced VR reviewers: assessment criteria, common pitfalls, and what makes a strong application.
  • Vasili Hauryliuk, Professor in Medical Biochemistry
  • Maria H. Nilsson, Professor in Health Sciences
    
    A livestream option is available for this part of the workshop (presentations) - please register at this link if you plan to join only the presentation part of the workshop: Link to Zoom registration. 
    The peer review part, however, requires on-site attendance and registration via the signup form below!
     
• Peer review exchange: Give and receive feedback on draft applications. Reviewing others’ drafts helps you see what works - and what doesn’t - so you can improve clarity, structure, and persuasiveness in your own proposal. 

Requirements to participate

To attend the peer review session you need to: 

• Bring a printed draft of your research plan, prepared according to the VR instructions for your specific call. A fully completed application is not required for the workshop; however, you are expected to bring at least a partially developed research plan. Participants are welcome to bring work in progress and will receive peer feedback based on the materials they provide.
• Be willing to share your draft and to both receive and provide constructive feedback.
• Follow VR’s guidelines for confidentiality and good research practice: application content must not be shared outside the session, nor must they be abused or used for the reviewer´s benefit. 

Please note! Just as in VR’s review panels, participants in the workshop will not necessarily be familiar with each other’s research fields. The emphasis will therefore be on reader-friendliness, clarity, and structure rather than disciplinary expertise.

Registration deadline: 3 February

Sign up at this link! (Registration form)