The South Africa–Sweden University Forum (SASUF) is inviting applications for its 2026 Long-Term Mobility Grants, supporting PhD students and early-career researchers who want to undertake a five-month research placement at a partner university in South Africa or Sweden. The programme provides financial support for travel, accommodation and living expenses, with funding arrangements determined by the applicant’s home country and destination. Eligible applicants must be enrolled doctoral students or researchers who obtained their doctoral degrees in 2022 or later. Applications close on 4 November 2026.
Background and Opportunity Description
The South Africa–Sweden University Forum (SASUF) is an academic collaboration initiative that brings together universities and research institutions in South Africa and Sweden.
Through its long-term mobility scheme, SASUF supports international research exchanges between participating universities, helping researchers establish academic networks, share knowledge and develop future research collaborations.
The 2026 funding call is specifically designed for PhD students and early-career researchers who want to spend five consecutive months conducting research at a partner university in the other country.
The programme supports two mobility directions:
- Researchers and PhD students affiliated with Swedish SASUF universities can undertake research at eligible South African partner universities.
- Researchers and PhD students affiliated with South African SASUF universities can undertake research at eligible Swedish partner universities.
During the placement, participants will continue working on their individual research projects while becoming integrated into a research group at the host institution.
PhD students are expected to incorporate the mobility period into their doctoral studies rather than interrupting their programmes. Postdoctoral researchers are expected to continue their research while retaining their positions at their home universities.
The initiative also encourages applicants to develop research ideas inspired by previous SASUF-funded projects and establish collaborations that may continue beyond the mobility period.
Importantly, not every university that participated in earlier SASUF activities remains eligible under SASUF+. Applicants must select their host institution from the current participating universities.
SASUF Long-Term Mobility Grants 2026 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | SASUF Long-Term Mobility Grants |
| Funding organisation | South Africa–Sweden University Forum |
| Funding partner | STINT |
| Opportunity type | Research mobility grant |
| Academic year | 2026 call |
| Eligible applicants | PhD students and early-career researchers |
| Participating countries | South Africa and Sweden |
| Mobility duration | Five full, consecutive months |
| Host institution | Eligible SASUF+ partner university |
| Research placement | Individual research within a host research group |
| South African applicants travelling to Sweden | SEK 28,500 monthly maintenance allowance |
| Travel support for South African applicants | Up to SEK 15,000 |
| Swedish applicants travelling to South Africa | SEK 2,932 monthly maintenance allowance |
| Housing support for Swedish applicants | Up to SEK 7,000 monthly |
| Travel support for Swedish applicants | Up to SEK 15,000 |
| Application period | 2 October–4 November 2026 |
| Closing date | 4 November 2026 |
| Selection results | Before 31 December 2026 |
| Mobility completion deadline | 1 June 2028 |
| Application method | Email, one combined PDF |
| Application email | sasuf@uu.se |
Grant Benefits and Funding Coverage
The SASUF Long-Term Mobility Grants provide financial assistance to researchers undertaking international academic exchanges between South Africa and Sweden.
The funding is intended to help cover the additional costs associated with research mobility, including travel, accommodation and living expenses.
However, the financial arrangements differ depending on the applicant’s home country and destination.
Funding for South African Researchers Travelling to Sweden
South African PhD students and early-career researchers selected for placements at eligible Swedish universities can receive:
Monthly maintenance allowance
- SEK 28,500 per full month.
- Funding covers all five months of the approved mobility period.
- The total maintenance allowance over five months amounts to SEK 142,500.
Travel support
- Up to SEK 15,000 for travel expenses.
- This may include visa-related travel and associated costs.
The funding is intended to assist with additional mobility expenses, including accommodation, subsistence, travel, visas and insurance.
Funding for Swedish Researchers Travelling to South Africa
Swedish applicants undertaking research placements at eligible South African universities can receive:
Monthly maintenance allowance
- SEK 2,932 per month.
- The amount is updated twice a year by Arbetsgivarverket.
Housing support
– Up to SEK 7,000 per month for accommodation.
Travel support
– Up to SEK 15,000 for travel expenses.
The mobility funding is intended to cover additional costs associated with the research placement. It is not intended to replace the applicant’s salary because Swedish participants are expected to maintain their salary or other financial support from their home university.
Important Funding Conditions
Applicants should understand the following conditions before accepting the grant:
- Any additional expenses exceeding the approved funding must be covered by the candidate.
- Host universities are not expected to charge participants for the mobility placement.
- Host institutions should provide workspace and access to their premises.
- An interrupted mobility stay creates a repayment obligation.
- Applicants must submit a financial statement after completing their mobility.
- Any unspent grant funds must be repaid to SASUF.
The funding should therefore be understood as research mobility support rather than an unrestricted salary or fully funded academic degree scholarship.
Research Opportunities and Expected Activities
The SASUF mobility scheme is designed to strengthen research cooperation between South African and Swedish universities.
Successful applicants will spend five consecutive months at an eligible partner institution, where they will continue their individual research projects while participating in the host university’s academic environment.
The main opportunities include:
1. International research collaboration
Participants will work with researchers and academic groups at their host institutions, creating opportunities to exchange knowledge and establish professional relationships.
2. Development of research skills
The programme allows researchers to broaden their academic expertise, explore new research methods and deepen their understanding of their chosen research fields.
3. Academic networking
Participants can build connections with researchers from participating South African and Swedish universities, potentially creating opportunities for future joint projects.
4. Development of new research ideas
Applicants are encouraged to draw inspiration from previously funded SASUF projects when developing their research proposals.
5. International academic experience
The five-month placement provides exposure to a different research environment and opportunities to understand how universities in another country approach academic research.
Qualifications and Eligibility Requirements
The SASUF Long-Term Mobility Grants are intended for doctoral students and early-career researchers affiliated with participating universities in South Africa or Sweden.
Education and Academic Status
Applicants must meet at least one of the following conditions:
- Be currently enrolled as a doctoral student.
- Have obtained their doctoral degree in 2022 or later.
This means that applicants who completed their PhDs before 2022 do not meet the published early-career researcher eligibility condition.
University Affiliation
Applicants must be employed by or enrolled at their home university when submitting their application.
They must also maintain this employment or enrolment throughout the entire five-month mobility period.
The scheme is not designed for independent applicants without an eligible home university affiliation.
Eligible Host Universities
Applicants must arrange their mobility at an eligible SASUF+ partner university in the other participating country.
Previous participation in SASUF projects does not automatically make a university eligible to host researchers under the current programme.
The announcement specifically identifies the following institutions as examples of universities that are not eligible hosts under SASUF+:
- University of Cape Town.
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
- University West.
- Örebro University.
Applicants should consult the current official partner list before contacting potential supervisors.
Mobility Duration Requirements
The mobility placement must meet the following conditions:
- Five full and consecutive months.
- The placement must take place at an eligible partner institution.
- The research visit cannot be divided into separate stays.
- Visits shorter than five months will not receive funding.
- Visits longer than five months may be allowed, but SASUF funding will cover a maximum of five months.
The mobility must be completed by 1 June 2028.
Application Guidance and Additional Information
The SASUF Long-Term Mobility Grants require applicants to establish contact with a suitable research group or academic supervisor at their intended host university before submitting an application.
Applicants should begin by identifying a research group whose academic interests align with their proposed work.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must prepare the following documents:
1. Invitation Letter from the Host University
An invitation letter from a supervisor or research group at the intended host university is compulsory.
The letter should confirm the host institution’s willingness to accommodate the applicant for the proposed five-month research placement.
2. Completed Application Form
Applicants must complete the appropriate application template.
SASUF provides separate templates for:
- South African researchers.
- Swedish researchers.
Applicants must use the template corresponding to their home country.
3. Confirmation Letter from the Home University
A letter from the applicant’s supervisor, mentor, principal investigator or line manager is required.
The letter must confirm that the applicant has permission to undertake the mobility period alongside their research or doctoral studies.
4. Curriculum Vitae and Publication List
Applicants must submit a CV together with their publication list.
The combined document must not exceed four pages and should use:
- Calibri font.
- Font size 11.
5. Motivation Letter
Applicants must provide a motivation letter explaining their interest in the programme and their commitment to participating in the research exchange.
The letter should explain how the mobility is expected to:
- Develop their research skills and interests.
- Strengthen their academic experience.
- Support international collaboration.
- Generate new research ideas.
The motivation letter must not exceed 1.5 pages and should use Calibri font, size 11.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to submit an application:
- Visit the official SASUF Long-Term Mobility Grants announcement.
- Confirm that you meet the doctoral student or early-career researcher eligibility requirements.
- Consult the SASUF partner universities directory.
- Identify an eligible host university in the other participating country.
- Contact a suitable supervisor or research group to discuss the proposed research placement.
- Obtain an invitation letter from the host university.
- Obtain confirmation from your home university supervisor, mentor, principal investigator or line manager.
- Download the appropriate application template for South African or Swedish researchers.
- Prepare your CV, publication list and motivation letter according to the specified formatting requirements.
- Combine the completed application and all supporting documents into one PDF file.
- Email the application to sasuf@uu.se before the closing date.
Email subject line:
SASUF Long-term mobility for [YOUR NAME]
Applications must be submitted as a single PDF document.
Important Application Links
- SASUF Long-Term Mobility Grants – Official Announcement
- SASUF Partner Universities
- SASUF Local Coordinators
- South African Researchers Application Template
- Swedish Researchers Application Template
The two application templates are provided on the official call page.
Application Deadline and Important Dates
4 November 2026
The application period runs from 2 October to 4 November 2026.
| Important event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 2 October 2026 |
| Application deadline | 4 November 2026 |
| Selection results | Before 31 December 2026 |
| Latest mobility completion date | 1 June 2028 |
| Final mobility report deadline | 1 June 2028 |
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed using several criteria, including:
- Ranking by the applicant’s home university and host university.
- Motivation and commitment to participate.
- Potential to develop research skills and interests.
- Potential to generate new research ideas.
- Balanced distribution of grants across SASUF universities.
- Gender balance.
Some priority will be given to applicants who have participated in current or previous SASUF-funded research projects.
Reporting Requirements After the Mobility
Successful applicants must complete reporting requirements after their research placement.
Each grant recipient must submit:
- A financial statement detailing all expenditure.
- Repayment of any unspent grant funds.
- A written report of at least one A4 page describing the mobility activities, research outcomes and personal reflections.
The final report must be submitted no later than 1 June 2028.
The SASUF secretariat will provide a reporting template when the scholarship funding is announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the SASUF Long-Term Mobility Grants?
They are research mobility grants supporting PhD students and early-career researchers from South African and Swedish universities who want to spend five months conducting research at a partner university in the other country.
2. How long does the research mobility programme last?
The funded mobility period is five full and consecutive months. Shorter visits are not eligible for funding.
3. How much funding is available for South African researchers?
South African researchers travelling to Sweden can receive SEK 28,500 per month for five months, together with up to SEK 15,000 for travel expenses.
4. How much funding is available for Swedish researchers?
Swedish researchers travelling to South Africa can receive SEK 2,932 monthly maintenance support, up to SEK 7,000 monthly for housing and up to SEK 15,000 for travel.
5. Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be enrolled doctoral students or researchers who obtained their doctoral degrees in 2022 or later. They must also be employed by or enrolled at their home university throughout the mobility period.
6. Can researchers from other countries apply?
The call is specifically for researchers affiliated with participating SASUF universities in South Africa and Sweden. It is not a general international research scholarship.
7. Do applicants need an invitation letter?
Yes. Applicants must obtain an invitation letter from a supervisor or research group at their proposed host university.
8. Can the five-month mobility period be divided into separate visits?
No. The mobility must take place over five full and consecutive months. Interrupted stays create a repayment obligation.
9. When will successful applicants be notified?
Selection results are expected to be communicated before 31 December 2026.
10. When must the research mobility be completed?
All funded mobility placements must be completed by 1 June 2028 at the latest. Grant recipients must also submit their final research report and financial statement.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The SASUF Long-Term Mobility Grants offer a valuable opportunity for doctoral students and early-career researchers seeking international research experience and academic collaboration between South Africa and Sweden.
One of the programme’s strongest features is its five-month duration, which gives researchers sufficient time to integrate into a host research group, develop academic connections and advance their research projects.
The funding arrangements are particularly important. South African researchers travelling to Sweden receive a substantially higher monthly maintenance allowance than Swedish researchers travelling to South Africa. Applicants should therefore carefully review the funding applicable to their mobility direction before making financial arrangements.
The programme is best suited to researchers who already have an established relationship with their home university and can secure an invitation from an eligible partner institution.
Applicants should begin contacting potential supervisors immediately because obtaining an invitation letter and preparing the supporting documents may take time.
Overall, this is a valuable research mobility opportunity for eligible doctoral students and early-career academics seeking international collaboration, practical research exposure and professional development.
Disclaimer
Opportunities Feed is an independent information platform that shares scholarships, research grants, fellowships, internships and other academic and career development opportunities.
We are not affiliated with the South Africa–Sweden University Forum (SASUF), Uppsala University or STINT. We do not represent these organisations and do not receive or process applications.
All applications must be submitted directly to SASUF using the official application instructions.
Applicants should verify the latest eligibility requirements, funding conditions, participating universities and deadlines through the official programme website before applying.
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