AFSR’s senior fellowships
The AFSR (French-Swedish Research Association) fellowships of 2025/26: Supporting innovative research conducted in collaboration between French and Swedish researchers and research institutions.
Who can apply
AFSR (The French-Swedish research association) invites researchers in France and Sweden from all disciplinary fields to apply for four fellowships. The fellowships are meant to support research activities taking place during the academic year of 2025/26. Two fellowships are intended for French citizens, or foreign citizens with a permanent residence permit in France interested in conducting research in Sweden. The other fellowship is for Swedish citizens, or foreign citizens with a permanent residence permit in Sweden interested in conducting research in France.
By “researcher” is referred to a person employed at a French or Swedish university or research institution who has acquired a high level of expertise in both research and education. She or he publishes papers in recognized, peer-reviewed journals and may also be involved in knowledge transfer to industry and/or society at large.
A strong, innovative approach and the applicant’s documented ability to collaborate are criteria of great importance in the assessment of applications received. Further, a younger researcher, who is in an earlier phase of her or his research career will be given preference over an older researcher in a later phase. Applications will, finally, be assessed based on their potential to strengthen future Franco-Swedish research collaboration.
Extent of fellowship period
The four fellowships are granted for a period of four to six months starting on September 1, 2025 at the earliest, and ending on June 30, 2026 at the latest. The research period is either continuous or divided into two or, maximum, three periods.
Subject area, project title and previous research
The application should contain a brief presentation of the subject area of research, the title of the research project, and the applicant’s previous research in the field (maximum 600 words).
Institution at which the research project is intended to take place
The research should, in the case of French applicants, be conducted at a Swedish research institution that can provide the necessary resources for the successful completion of the project. For applicants from Sweden the reverse applies.
Your access to a host institution in the visited country should be confirmed by an invitation letter signed by an authorized representative of the host institution.
Indicative workplan
The application should contain an as detailed description as possible of the organisation of the research project, including methodology and timetable. The description should include a presentation of the planned collaboration with colleagues at the chosen host institution
(maximum 300 words).
Dissemination of results
Expected results of the research project and how they are intended to be made available to the research community as well as other stakeholders should be presented. Dissemination can take place in a traditional way through e.g. articles in peer-reviewed journals, conference papers, and book chapters, but also new, innovative forms of knowledge diffusion such as e.g. podcasts, blogs, TED talks and videos are welcome to be applied (maximum 300 words).
Personal presentation
The application should include a resume which gives a clear picture of the applicant as a person and researcher. The resume is suitably complemented with a curriculum vitae (CV) and a letter of recommendation written by a leading representative of the applicant’s university/research institution well familiar with the applicant’s professional and personal qualities. The personal presentation should not exceed 300 words. An attached CV should not exceed three pages.
Payment of the fellowship
The financial contribution, which amounts to €2,500 per month (total amount €10,000 - €15,000), is intended to contribute to travel costs, accommodation and increased costs of living in the visiting country. Eighty (80) percent of the awarded amount will be transferred to the recipient not later than one month before the fellowship period starts. The remaining twenty (20) percent will be transferred within a month after AFSR’s receipt of the awardee’s “Fellowship Report” (see below).
If a project runs according to plan, no financial reporting is required for the received grant. If a project cannot be completed, the reasons for this should be explained, and full or partial repayment may be requested.
Application deadline
AFSR expects to receive the applications for the academic year of 2025/26 not later than April 15, 2025. Your application can be sent either by post to the following address:
Svensk-franska forskningsföreningen (AFSR)
GrevTuregatan 14
SE-114 46 Stockholm
or by e-mail to: info@afsr.se
Selection process
The applications will be assessed by an evaluation committee composed of members of AFSR's board of directors (“Comité directeur”). The committee may, in special cases, involve external expertise in the assessment of an application.
The evaluation committee’s decision
The results of the selection process will be presented to all applicants via e-mail on May 31, 2025 at the latest. The name of the recipients of the four fellowships will also be published on AFSR’s website (www.afsr.se).
“Fellowship Report”
Recipients of a fellowship are expected to present a final report, “the Fellowship Report”, no later than three months after the visiting period has ended. The report should contain a presentation of both the scientific results of the project and personal experiences that may be useful for the future organisation of the fellowship program (maximum 1.500 words).