Nordic Gender Fund

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 1 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 Åland.

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 or 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 who is not affiliated with an institution of higher education in the Nordics.

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.