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Historically, gender research has been strong in the Nordic countries, and many universities now have departments for gender studies or equivalent. Over time, studies of other power structures have also been included in gender research. Simultaneously, power-critical research is being developed in an interdisciplinary manner and across a number of subject areas. 

Since the late 1990s, the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research has followed up on important issues within the field of gender research, as well as on general policy issues related to research infrastructure. The Nordic Gender Fund is a continuation of this work, through which we seek to enable active researchers to define their own needs and directions. Applications will be assessed by independent expert researchers.

Information for applicants

The Nordic Gender Fund accepts applications for infrastructural support within a broad interdisciplinary field.

The call for applications from the Nordic Gender Fund 2025 will be open from 1 October to 5 November. The page will be updated regularly with more information.

Are you eligible to apply?

To be eligible to apply for funding from the Nordic Gender Fund, the applicant must be either a doctoral student or a researcher with a PhD and be affiliated with an institution of higher education in one of the Nordic countries or the three autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Ã…land.

What can you apply for?

The aim of the Fund is to strengthen the infrastructure for knowledge produced within research on norms, beliefs and structures that reproduce and maintain inequalities based on, for example, gender, race/ethnicity, sexuality, class and age. 

Funding is provided for activities aimed at establishing or strengthening 

1) scientific networks
2) scientific conferences 
3) scientific journals

When can you apply?

The Nordic Gender Fund accepts funding applications once a year. In 2025 the call will open on 1 October and close on 1 November.

How do you apply?

Applications must be submitted in English using the application form available on nordicgenderfund.se from 1 September.

How will your application be assessed?

Applications will be assessed by expert researchers, including at least one international expert.

The key criteria for funding decisions are how well the purpose and research problem are formulated and how closely the proposed activities relate to the purpose and research problem. Feasibility and the applicant’s plans for the long-term sustainability of the proposed activities will also be assessed.

What are the terms and conditions?

Applications must be related to activities taking place between 1 January and 31 December 2026.

Notification of successful applications and payment of granted funds will take place in December 2025. 

For funds granted in December 2025, a report on the proposed use of funds must be submitted no later than March 2027. A report form will be included with the notification of funding.

Q&A Nordic Gender Fund 

Here are some examples of frequently asked questions about applying to the Nordic Gender Fund and their answers.

What kinds of costs can be applied for? 

Q:  Will you provide an overhead or bench fees or in any other way cover administrative costs?  
A: You can apply for coverage of all costs that you consider necessary. In the budget form that you will be asked to fill in, you will have to specify the costs, such as overheads.  

Maximum amount to apply for 

Q:  What amount of funding can one project request?  

A: The maximum amount you can apply for is 100,000 SEK and the minimum is 25,000 SEK. Make sure you justify your costs in your application and in the budget form that you are asked to fill in. The total amount available from the fund is 500,000 SEK (Swedish kronor).

How many applications will be granted? 

Q: Do you have thoughts on how many projects that will be funded

A: The number of projects to be funded depends on the amount awarded to the best applications. 

Types of projects that can be funded? 

Q: I have a pilot study that I like to develop, how much can I apply for? 

A: The purpose of the fund is to support infrastructure for researchers in the broad gender studies field in the Nordic region. We may grant funding for a networking or conference part of a project.

Q: Are there any regulations preventing Nordic Gender Fund grants to be used for workshopping a further funding application from a different body? Is it possible to apply for funding to prepare an application to another financer, with the aim of establishing a network for doctoral students?

A: It is important that you state the purpose and identified needs for the activities covered by the application. We may grant funding for a network meeting that leads to a research application.

Q: We are planning an international conference that will not take place in the Nordic region. Are we still eligible to apply for funding from the Nordic gender fund? 

A: In your application, you must specify how the conference will be a part of the research infrastructure for researchers working in the Nordic region.  

Types of affiliations 

Q: Your website states that applicants must be affiliated with an institution at a university in a Nordic country in order to apply. Is a research institute eligible?

A: We will be generous in our interpretation of affiliation.

The application form 

Q: Could you tell us anything about the contents of the application form, as well as the length?  

A: When applying, you are asked to complete an application form with a project description, as well as a budget form where you justify your costs.

In the application form, you should describe:

1. the purpose of the activity for which you are applying,
2. your research problem,
3. what type of infrastructure needs your project will meet, and
4. your plans to make a long-term contribution to the research area in question.

Each section has a box for free text responses with a character limit of 4,000 characters, including spaces.