Short-term Research Stays
2026-27


About the Programme and the Eligibility Criteria
The Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study (SCAS) offers short-term research stays (approximately two weeks to two months) to scholars from all countries. Short-term research stays are offered during the autumn and spring semesters, depending on various circumstances, such as the availability of office space. The research stays give scholars the opportunity to concentrate on their own research interests, free from the teaching and administrative duties of ordinary university life. Short-term researchers are, however, expected to be active members of the Collegium’s scholarly community and to participate in seminars and other academic events outside their own fields of specialization.
Short-term research stays are offered to individual scholars. Candidates who are applying for a short-term stay must have held a PhD (or equivalent doctoral degree) for at least three years at the time of application.
The Collegium also invites small groups of two to five scholars for short-term research stays during which they can engage in topical, collaborative work. Each member of the group must submit an individual application. Members of a group may choose to submit individual project plans or a joint project plan.
A short-term stay must take place either during the autumn semester or the spring semester.
The autumn semester starts on 1 September and ends on 11 December.
The spring semester begins on 11 January and ends on 11 June.
When indicating the time period that you are applying for, please keep in mind that three breaks are scheduled during the academic year. In the academic year 2026-27, they will be as follows:
Autumn break: 26-30 October 2026
February break: 22-26 February 2027
Spring (Easter) break: 22 March to 2 April 2027
No activities take place at SCAS during breaks and lunch is not served.
There is no set number of short-term research stays. Various circumstances, such as the availability of office space, may change suddenly and the Collegium cannot provide information in advance about whether short-term stays will be offered a specific semester. This also means that sometimes candidates may be invited at very short notice.
It is assumed that short-term researchers will cover the costs for their stays (such as salary, accommodation, travel).
Short-term researchers are responsible for making sure they have accommodation. Depending on availability, the Collegium may be able to assist with accommodation. The Collegium cannot provide information in advance about whether assistance with finding accommodation may be possible a specific semester.
Short-term researchers are responsible for all practical preparations, such as travel arrangements and visas. If you are not sure whether you may need a visa, please consult the Swedish Migration Agency External link, opens in new window.. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure that there is enough time to secure visas etc. before a stay takes place (please take this into consideration when listing periods you may be able to come to SCAS).
Application Instructions and Deadline
The application deadline for the academic year 2026-2027 is on 26 February 2027 (23:59 CET).
Applications are assessed on a rolling basis. Please note, though, that candidates are not notified of a decision on a rolling basis. Since there is no set number of short-term research stays, the Collegium does not know in advance how quickly a reply can be given. However, candidates will have a reply no later than the dates below.
Applicants who have applied for a short-term stay in the autumn only will be given a reply via Varbi no later than 31 October 2026.
Applicants who have applied for a short-term stay in the autumn and/or the spring will be given a reply via Varbi no later than 31 March 2027.
Final decisions are taken by the Principal of the Collegium in consultation with Long-term Fellows. This means that all applications (including personal data) will be downloaded by Long-term Fellows, and may also be sent to external referees, outside of the EU/EEA.
Application Requirements
Apply through the Varbi applications system by filling in the online form and submitting as PDF-files the following required application documents:
- A brief curriculum vitae (1-2 pages)
- A list of your major articles (up to ten) in international peer-reviewed journals and/or major research monographs or edited volumes
- A description of your intended research project (not exceeding 1500 words, excluding bibliography if any)
- An account of why you wish to be at SCAS (rather than at another institute for advanced study) (not exceeding 100 words)
- An account of how you would benefit from a stay at SCAS (not exceeding 100 words)
- An account of how you would contribute to the academic and social environment at SCAS (not exceeding 100 words)
Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation email from the Varbi online application system. If you get a new email address, please make sure to update it in your Varbi account.
Candidates are advised to submit their applications well ahead of the deadline. It may take a few days to receive assistance should you have questions or need technical support.
If you have any technical questions related to the Varbi online application system, please see the help page in your Varbi account (or go to Varbi account External link, opens in new window.). If you cannot find the answer to your question on the help page, you can contact Varbi’s support: support@varbi.com.
If you have any questions about short-term research stays, please contact the secretariat: fellowselection@swedishcollegium.se
The position may be subject to security vetting. If security vetting is conducted, the applicant must pass the vetting process to be eligible for a Short-term Research Stay.
