Call for funding for the development of innovation ideas for employees at the Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology conducting research or PhD studies

The Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology encourage and support the development of ideas that can become new innovations by allocating funds together with LU Innovation to support up to 5 projects. You can apply for up to SEK 150 000 (only for direct costs, overhead costs are not covered) to develop an idea at an early stage, that is connected to your research field.

The purpose of the support is to stimulate the development of ideas that utilise findings related to the faculty's various research fields.

What is innovation?

Innovations are new solutions that create value or joy by coming into use. An innovation can be a service, a product, a method, a process. It can improve something already existing or be radically new and groundbreaking. An innovation can be multiplied, which can be done through sales, but it can also be an innovation in itself to find a solution, to create value through utilisation or providing benefit in another way. The projects funded last year are examples of this.

The funding and what it can be used for

The funding can be used for verification, operating costs, development, and/or leave of absence from ordinary work duties. Doctoral students can, after approval by their department and the faculty, develop an idea as part of their departmental duties. The support will be given during 2023 and should be reported latest 30 June 2024. The work with the idea is not primarily part of your research, but about providing societal benefit and the implementation of research. It is positive if you have previously had contacts and collaborations outside the University within the field of ​​your idea.

Who can apply

Employees at the Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology conducting research or PhD studies. The project may include collaboration with other faculties at LU, but does not cover their salary.

How to submit your application

Send your application on a maximum of 2 A4 pages based on the questions below, no later than March 31^st to jonas [dot] sundin [at] kansliht [dot] lu [dot] se (Jonas Sundin). Questions about the application etc. may be addressed to sophie [dot] hyden_picasso [at] innovation [dot] lu [dot] se (Sophie Hydén Picasso). You must declare in the application (attach a confirmation letter) that it is submitted in consultation with your head of department or supervisor (the work plan needs to be discussed with and approved by your head of department or supervisor). Once we have received it, you may be contacted for a discussion about your idea.

Answer the following questions in your application:

• What is the challenge or problem that underlies your idea of ​​a solution? What need do you solve or satisfy? Ideas related to Agenda 2030 are encouraged but it is not a requirement.
• What would you like to achieve in the project?
• How is your idea connected to your research field?
• Which do you see as potential and valuable partners? Who would you like to engage with?
• What competencies do you think would complement you in the development work?
• What does your solution look like or how does it work, what is unique?
• Do you know of other similar solutions to the challenge or need that you want to solve?
• Who benefits from the solution? For whom does it create value?
• What are your thoughts on how the innovation should be utilised? What is the potential of the idea?
• Have you already started to develop the idea? If so, what has been done?
• How much funding are you applying for and how will the funding be used?
• During what period will you carry out the project?

Evaluation criteria

• Long term potential
• Model of implementation 
• Novelty thinking
• Description of what to achieve

Decisions on applications that are granted funds are made by the dean after preparation by a group consisting of:

• Bo Ahrén, professor emeritus at the Faculty of Medicine and former pro-vice-chancellor
• Jonas Granfeldt, professor at the Centre for Languages and Literature
• Martin Hassler Hallstedt, CEO and founder of the company Akribian
• Charlotte Lorentz Hjorth, LU Collaboration (project manager in Cultural and Creative Industries)
• Johannes Persson, dean at the Faculties of Humanities and Theology
• Sylvia Schwaag Serger, professor at the School of Economics and Management and former pro-vice-chancellor
• Katarina Scott, Future by Lund (responsible for the area of ​​Cultural and Creative Industries)
• Barbara Törnqvist-Plewa, vice dean with responsibility for research, Faculties of Humanities and Theology
• A representative of HTS/HTDR

Sophie Hydén Picasso at LU Innovation is the coordinator and contact person for the call for funding.  You are welcome to contact Sophie to discuss your idea and application.

Decisions will be announced in May by email.