KTH Call 2026 for University of Tokyo collaboration seed funding
Staff members, including early career researchers, are welcome to apply for funding to support collaborative activities such as workshops, symposia or application writing meetings to build on the existing partnerships between KTH and the University of Tokyo in Japan (UTokyo).
About the KTH Call for UTokyo seed funding
This funding is offered to support collaborative activities such as workshops, symposia or application writing meetings to build on the existing partnerships between KTH Royal Institute of Technology and the University of Tokyo in Japan (UTokyo). In parallel to this Call is also a call for activities that involves also researchers and teachers at Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University.
Stockholm Trio–UTokyo collaboration funding
The purpose of this initiative is to catalyse new collaborations or boost existing collaborations, especially those that are well positioned to apply for joint external research funding, for instance the Horizon Europe programme. Up to SEK 60,000 is available for each proposal and we expect up to four proposals can get supported this year. There is no mirroring funding available from UTokyo but if the PI at UTokyo contributes with any funding it will strengthen the proposal.
The funds need to be distributed until in December 2026 and the activities completed until 31 March, 2027, at the latest.
Who are the Collaborative Funding for Joint Activities open to?
- Applications are open to staff including early career researchers, across all faculties and departments.
- PI:s must have an open-ended contract or a fixed-term contract which lasts until at least December 2027.
- Each application must include a Co-PI from UTokyo.
- PhD students and Post-Docs are not eligible to apply as the main applicant but can be involved as collaborators in the application.
What can be funded through this Call and when?
- Activities which involve academic components such as workshops (face-to-face or virtual), seminars, symposia, application writing meetings (e g for Horizon Europe) and formation or development of a collaborative network, faculty development or curriculum development, involving UTokyo. People from other institutions can be involved in the proposed activities but priority is on developing the cooperation between KTH and UTokyo.
- Proposals that can demonstrate follow-up and sustainability beyond the initial funding period are particularly encouraged.
- Activities for which the funds are allocated must take place before 31 March, 2027.
Sustainable International work in a time of changing mobility
In line with the universities’ sustainable travel approach, methods of remote collaboration are eligible for funding and encouraged where possible, within the limits of what is permissible by the universities’ financial regulations and aligned with your own departmental guidelines.
Evaluation Criteria
Each application will be assessed according to how the activity can strengthen the
overall partnership between KTH and UTokyo within the following criteria:
- Activity rationale and proposed time frame. How clearly presented and justified is the basis for, and design of, the activity? Is the scope and time frame realistic and efficient? (20% of the evaluation score).
- Collaborator complementarity and impact. How well do the proposed activities combine or complement areas of interest and strength? (30% of the evaluation score).
- Capacity for future collaboration/funding. What is the potential for the activity to strengthen ongoing or to develop new collaboration? Specifically, what is the potential for the proposed activity to access external funding? (30% of the evaluation score).
- Potential impact. What desired outcomes do the planned activities set out to achieve? How will the funding help to achieve these outcomes? (20% of the evaluation score).
Reporting
All recipients must, as a condition of receiving the funding under this call, complete a questionnaire that describes the outcomes and opportunities for future collaboration that evolved from their application.
Timeline
- The deadline for application is 11:59 pm (CET) on April 30, 2026.
- Applicants will be notified in beginning of May.
- We expect activities to mainly take place during the Autumn semester 2026. All costs must be transferred by 31st of December 2026. Funding recipients will receive the funds by invoice internally as lump sum.
- Supported activities should be completed until 31st of March, 2027. We strongly advise applicants to undertake proportionate and appropriate due diligence, and ethical considerations relative to the stage and scope of the research collaboration, before collaborating with global partners and travelling overseas. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
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