LTV Faculty Grant for Small-Scale Equipment 2026

The LTV faculty strives for continuous improvement in the quality of our facilities. Towards this, the faculty hereby announces the LTV Faculty Grant for Small-Scale Equipment 2026, a strategic initiative to fund small-scale equipment used in research and education.

The aim of this call is to:

• fund small-scale equipment of relevance to research and education at the faculty
• promote high-quality research and education
• promote greater use of advanced research equipment in education, and
• encourage collaboration between research teams, subject areas and/or departments to improve the quality and use of research infrastructure.

Total funding available in this call is 2.5 million SEK.

Funding conditions

To be considered for funding, the equipment must normally meet the following primary criteria:

• Provide new opportunities for research and/or education.
• Be utilized by two or more research teams and/or at least one first or second cycle programme at SLU.
• Be open and readily accessible to all users within and outside its own department/team/programme.
• Have a long-term plan for scientific and educational objectives, funding, and utilisation, including training and support for users.

Funding may be granted for acquisition of new equipment (e.g. a system, database, or instrument), or alternatively for upgrading, supplementing or replacing existing equipment (e.g. investments, installations, service contracts). Equipment that will be utilised within the LTV faculty’s research infrastructures is preferred, though not mandatory. 

Funding will not be granted for salaries or other direct research/teaching expenses, rent, service contracts or renovation of premises, fittings, etc.

Equipment costs in the range of 250 000 to 500 000 SEK will be considered for funding. In case the equipment costs more than the maximum amount, funding for the additional amount should have been secured prior to the deadline of this application. Participating departments are responsible for finding supplementary funding through other sources.

Unutilised funding one year after the decision will need to be returned to the faculty.

Time schedule

• November 15, 2026: Final date for submission of applications.
  
  
• December 18, 2026: Decision on which applications will be funded.
  
  
• January 2027: Distribution of the grant to the receiving departments.
  
  
• December 17, 2027: Short report to the faculty (e-mail to velocity.hughes@slu.se) on how the funding was utilised. Unutilised funding by this date will be returned to the faculty.

Assessment and prioritisation of applications

A review panel consisting of the Dean, Prodean, Vicedean and Faculty Research Officer will be responsible for reviewing and prioritising the applications.

The applications will be prioritised based on the added value to scientific and educational quality, strategic relevance to the faculty, suitability to the purpose of this call, and accessibility plan for other users.

Decisions on allocation of equipment grants

The Dean will make the formal decision on allocation of the equipment grant. The Dean’s decision cannot be appealed.

Instructions on the structure of applications 

Individual researchers (including postdocs), research teams, teachers, or departments may submit applications. Note that applications must be formatted as follows:

• A single PDF file which includes all text sections (parts 1-4 below)
• An Excel file containing the budget calculation signed by the head of department and department economic officer (part 5 below)

Applications can be in English or Swedish and should include the following:

1. Cover letter
The cover letter should include:

Title of the application/name of the equipment
Abstract describing the equipment and its suitability to this call (half a page)
Name, title and contact details of the primary applicant
List of co-applicants (name, title, department, email address)

2. Description of the equipment (max. 2 pages incl. key references)

The description should contain the following headings:

• Technical description: Function, capacity, estimated service life, etc. The section should detail why the exact equipment was chosen, and where it will be located - physically and administratively)
  
  
• Scientific significance: The scientific targets of the equipment; description of the research field(s) requiring the equipment, key publications from SLU or other researchers using the equipment.
  
  
• Educational significance: List of courses that would benefit from the equipment and a description of how the equipment will be used in teaching.
  
  
• Relevance for the faculty: Description of existing and potential user groups at the faculty; description of the novelty of the equipment and its added value compared to already existing equipment at SLU.
  
  
• Plan for accessibility and user support: How will the equipment be made available to potential users, students and others?
  
  
• If the application relates to upgrading existing equipment, a description of the present status and reasons for upgrade must be enclosed. Information on the degree of utilization at present and after the planned upgrade must also be included.

3. CVs
To be enclosed for both the primary applicant and all co-applicants (max. 2 pages per person).

4. Certificate from the head of the department
A certificate from the head of the department with primary responsibility supporting the application. In case the total cost of the equipment to be purchased is higher than the maximum amount for this call, a confirmation is to be included in the letter guaranteeing availability of funding for the residual amount within the department.

5. Budget
Calculation showing the total cost, specific cost elements, the amount applied for, and information on funding beyond the grant applied for. Use SLU's "Project calculator" template for the budget. Depreciation costs must be specified in accordance with normal practice. Specify in part 2 of the template if the acquisition of the equipment will require a procurement procedure.

Applications must be submitted to velocity.hughes@slu.se by November 15, 2026.

Please contact Velocity Hughes if you have any questions regarding this grant.