Research projects

The projects are carried out in collaboration with partners, but applications must be submitted by employees of the Faculty of Landscape Architecture, Horticulture and Crop Production Science (LTV) and the Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre at the Faculty of Forest Sciences (S).

There are two application rounds each year, with deadlines on 15 February and 15 October. Submitted applications are then reviewed by the respective Thematic groups, which provide advisory opinions. Decisions are subsequently made by the Steering Committee of SLU Partnership Alnarp, normally at the end of March and the beginning of December each year.

Research and development projects focusing on agriculture, horticulture or forestry that provide benefits and relevance to society, research, and industry.

Projects are typically funded with SEK 100,000–200,000 per year for 1–2 years from SLU Partnership Alnarp, with at least an equivalent contribution from partners. The maximum amount that can be granted is SEK 275,000 per year for up to three years, which applies, for example, to industrial PhD projects.

Partner co-funding can consist of actual financial contributions or in-kind support, such as working hours, analysis costs, or equipment rental.

Contract research cannot be funded through SLU Partnership Alnarp, as it cannot be covered by government grants.

The development of specific products is not funded, except for projects covering early development stages that provide general benefits for both academia and industry. Projects closely related to product development require a higher level of co-funding in the form of cash contributions from partner companies.

Costs for long-distance travel, such as trips to international conferences, are not covered.

For applications with the Swedish Foundation for Agricultural Research (SLF) as a co-funder, SLU Partnership Alnarp can provide funding of up to 35% of the SLF contribution, and there must be at least one additional partner actively involved in the project. For example, if SLF grants SEK 500,000 to a project as the sole funder, SLU Partnership Alnarp cannot provide funding. However, if there is an additional active member of SLU Partnership Alnarp supporting the project with, for example, SEK 100,000, the maximum funding from SLU Partnership Alnarp would be calculated as (500,000 × 35%) + (100,000 × 100%) = SEK 275,000.

When co-funding comes from the Swedish Board of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Fund of Region Skåne, or the Rural Development Programme, there must also be at least one additional partner actively participating in the project.

According to the donor’s wishes, the donation fund is to be used to promote, primarily in southern Sweden, fruit and berry cultivation through applied research, experimental activities, and information dissemination. Applicants submit a complete application to SLU Partnership Alnarp for processing and decision according to the standard procedure.

There is also an opportunity for the Steering Committee of SLU Partnership Alnarp to grant funds from the Erik E:son Wikland Donation Fund for long-term applied research, such as variety trials of berry bushes and fruit trees spanning 5–10 years, without requiring co-funding from the industry. Practically, the application should indicate the Erik E:son Wikland Donation Fund under “Other funders,” together with the requested amount from this donation fund.

If a project cannot be completed according to the original schedule, contact the director by email with a request for an extension, stating the reason for the delay.

SLU Partnership Alnarp normally grants funding for a maximum of two years at a time. For three-year projects, applicants are asked to submit an interim report for the first two years, along with an application for the third year. The interim report should include the following:

• A brief description of the project’s implementation and results to date
• Any deviations from the project plan
• Financial accounting for the first two years

Applications are submitted via a web form. The summary in the form is important and should provide a clear overview of the research question, purpose, objectives, and implementation. The summary is also what the partnership communicates, so write it in a popular science style.

The project description should be attached to the application and include:

• Background
• Purpose/Objectives
• Methodology/Hypothesis
• Implementation plan
• Plan for utilisation and communication of the project results

You should also indicate whether the project is part of a larger application.

Describe how the results will benefit partners, be shared with the industry and the wider community, and potentially be used in education. SLU requires that the results be suitable for publication.

• Which channels or media will you use to reach your target audiences and disseminate the project results?
• Indicate whether the project is expected to lead to scientific publication.
• For clear and concrete results that are useful to stakeholders, it is desirable to produce fact sheets.
• SLU Partnership is happy to collaborate on content suitable for newsletters, social media, videos, articles, or similar. Feel free to ask us if we would like to visit when the project has something to showcase!

Please note that, for accessibility reasons, SLU cannot publish documentation in the form of presentations that are not accessibility-compliant or videos without subtitles.

You should apply to SLU Partnership Alnarp for the portion of the costs not covered by other funding, including partner contributions. The balance should be zero when calculated in the form.

• Partner funding: Indicate the contribution from partner companies, either in cash or as in-kind work converted to SEK.

• Other funding: Specify any additional funding and the funder.

• Personnel costs: Indicate the person and cost (number of hours × total hourly rate including overheads) for each applicant.

• Other costs per year: Include materials, travel, etc.

Personnel costs should be entered in the application form as the number of hours multiplied by the hourly rate, including social charges and all overheads, for each applicant. The hourly rate can be calculated using the template “Calculation of hourly rate.”

Applicants should indicate whether the project is part of a larger application. Any funds already secured or requested from other funders must be clearly stated.

After funding has been granted, the principal applicant must complete a signed agreement between the project’s funders, confirming that all parties provide the resources—financial, personnel, etc.—as stated in the application. The signed and approved agreement must be sent to SLU Partnership Alnarp no later than three months after the funding decision.

The agreement serves an important function in confirming commitments from project partners. For example, it may include invoicing from departments to partners, which requires that amounts and invoicing dates are clearly specified in the agreement.

The agreement is signed by the principal applicant, the head of department, and the director of SLU Partnership Alnarp. External partners confirm approval of the agreement by email to the principal applicant, who attaches the email confirmation.

The principal applicant should inform their department’s financial support team about the approved project and provide a copy of the agreement. Based on the agreement, the department can set up a project number in the financial system, where project costs will be recorded.

For certain co-funders, such as other research funders (e.g., SLF, the Environmental Protection Fund of Region Skåne, the Swedish Board of Agriculture, and the Lantmännen Research Foundation), a copy of their funding decision is sufficient.

Submitted applications are reviewed by the respective Thematic groups. Decisions are made by the Steering Committee of SLU Partnership Alnarp.

A complete application includes a project description containing a summary (written in a popular science style), background, purpose, objectives, implementation plan, and plan for dissemination of results. The budget must be correctly completed and consistent with the planned activities.

The application must be submitted by an eligible person and include co-funding.

Societal benefit and relevance

• The project results have the potential to be useful and are relevant to more than just the participating partners.

• The application provides an account of who is expected to benefit from the results and what the participants expect from them.

• There is a description of appropriate communication regarding the project results.

Research benefit and implementation

• The project has the potential to contribute to research and its development.

• The application explains how the project is expected to help develop and strengthen research.

Collaboration

• The project must be carried out in collaboration between SLU and a partner.

• The application specifies what each party contributes, how they collaborate in project implementation, and how the results will be used.

• Collaboration is expected to provide added value for the participating partners.

2024-09-20, Håkan Schroeder

The project is reported through a signed financial report and a written final report using SLU Partnership Alnarp’s template for final reports.

Note: If the final report has not been submitted within one year after the project end date, all funds granted and disbursed by the partnership will be reclaimed.

Go to Final reporting of research projects