MERGE Short research Project

Introduction: MERGE Short project call 2026

Short projects are a way to stimulate ideas and work from MERGE members within the MERGE research framework and as such cross-research between the different research areas (RA) are encouraged. The focus is often derived from discussions and ideas that are raised during the annual meetings of MERGE blended with input from our external monitoring. The priority topics for the MERGE Short Project Call 2026 are outlined in Appendix 1 of the template. 

MERGE invites proposals for short projects (SPs) with a duration of up to 12 months and a maximum funding of 400,000 SEK. MERGE will fund up to three SPs during this cycle.

Timeline:

• Opens: 10 April
• Application deadline: 5 June 2026 at 00.00
• Evaluation and decision: September 2026

Who can apply?

The principal investigator must be a MERGE member and hold a PhD degree. All participating members must be MERGE members, you may apply for membership here MERGE membership.

What can be applied for?

• Short, self-contained projects 
• Pilot projects
• Workshops
• Mobility

Salary costs (including overhead) can only be covered for personnel employed at Lund University or the University of Gothenburg. Travels, hotel stays etc. can be covered for all MERGE members.

Examples of expected outcomes

• Review paper
• Research paper  
• Scientific report from a pilot project that can lead to a larger grant application

Evaluation criteria

The applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

• Relevance to MERGE’s priorities and identified knowledge gaps, as outlined in Appendix 1
• Cross-research linking at least two research areas (RA)
• Scientific excellence and feasibility
• Potential for broader outcomes, including fostering new collaborations, engaging stakeholders, supporting career development, and enabling future initiatives, e.g. EU Horizon proposals.

Application instructions

Material to be handed in - for more details see below

• Combine the below documents into one single PDF file
  • The main application. This document must not exceed three A4 pages (excluding references), Font: Times New roman or similar, 11 pt, 2 cm margin
  • List of references / bibliography
  • Signed budget (fullkostnadskalkyl), summary page
  • CVs of the main applicant and the co-applicants, max two A4 pages per CV
  • Administrative information and signatures
• Name your document using the short project title
• Email the application to lina [dot] nikoleris [at] mgeo [dot] lu [dot] se (lina[dot]nikoleris[at]mgeo[dot]lu[dot]se)

Download the call with the template at the link below: