Svenska

The PAUSE Scholarship

The PAUSE Scholarship is worth SEK 100,000 and supports at least three consecutive months of qualifying study or a supervised internship abroad in HR, leadership or the world of work.

The scholarship is open to Swedish citizens and to foreign citizens who have lived in Sweden for at least two years and still live here. Applicants must be enrolled in or have completed a university-level programme. Other fields of study may also be relevant where the proposed project has a clear focus on HR or leadership.

The scholar shares the knowledge gained through a written report and a short video summary in English, both published by Stiftelsen PAUSE.

PAUSE Scholarship 2027

Opens
31 August 2026
Closes
31 October 2026 · 23:59
Decision
By 30 November 2026

This year's theme

Skills and job design as organisations adopt AI

The project must examine how the adoption of AI changes people's work, skills, responsibilities, working environment or the way work is organised. AI must be central to the project's purpose and method.

1 · Eligibility

Are you eligible to apply?

All five basic requirements must be met before an application can proceed to a quality assessment.

  1. Residence or citizenship. You are a Swedish citizen, or a foreign citizen who has lived in Sweden for at least two years and still lives here.
  2. Higher education. You are enrolled in or have completed a programme at a university or other higher-education institution.
  3. Qualifying period. The PAUSE Scholarship requires at least three consecutive months of qualifying study or a supervised internship abroad. A longer degree programme or stay abroad may continue beyond this period, including after 31 December 2027.
  4. Identified host. You have identified a university, organisation or company that can provide relevant teaching, an internship or supervision.
  5. This year's theme. AI, skills and job design are central to the project's purpose and method.

2 · Quality

How are eligible applications compared?

The basic requirements determine whether an application can be assessed. The quality of each eligible project is then compared.

  1. 01
    Relevance to the theme

    A clear and essential connection to the 2027 theme.

  2. 02
    Feasibility

    A well-developed, realistic plan for study or an internship.

  3. 03
    International added value

    Benefits that could not reasonably be achieved in Sweden or remotely.

  4. 04
    Benefit to Sweden

    A concrete plan for putting the knowledge to use in Sweden.

3 · Prepare your application

Demonstrate both the strength of your idea and its feasibility

Your application will be easier to assess if the supporting material is grouped according to the question it answers.

About you and your background

  • A brief personal statement and explanation of your motivation.
  • Your CV, complete academic transcripts and other academic documents.
  • Relevant employment records, qualifications and references.

The project

  • Your research question and its connection to the theme.
  • Objectives, method, sources and timetable.
  • A brief account of any use of AI when preparing the application.

Practical arrangements

  • Location, host organisation, contact person and planned supervision.
  • Exact start and end dates for the continuous period of at least three months of study or a supervised internship covered by the application.
  • A timetable for the study or internship period and submission of the report and video no later than 31 December 2027.
  • A complete budget and funding plan that takes account of the fixed scholarship amount and its three payment stages.

Bringing the knowledge home

  • A plan for how the knowledge will be used or shared in Sweden.

Applications must be submitted by email

Applications are accepted only during the application period. Email your application as an attachment to:

kontakt@stiftelsen-pause.se

Confirmation of receipt

We will confirm receipt of your application within 24 hours, Monday to Friday. If you have not received confirmation within that time, please contact us again.

After you apply

Five steps from application to published knowledge

This page explains the main process. The complete terms are set out in the call for applications and in the agreement with the selected scholar.

  1. Application

    Submit a complete application no later than 23:59 on 31 October 2026.

  2. Assessment and decision

    Eligible applications are compared. A decision will be made by 30 November. An agreement is then concluded.

    SEK 30,000 after appointment and agreement.

  3. Study or internship

    At least three consecutive months of qualifying study or a supervised internship abroad. A longer degree programme or stay abroad may continue beyond this period.

  4. Written report

    Submit the complete written report no later than 31 December 2027.

    SEK 35,000 after submission of the complete report.

  5. Video summary

    Submit the concluding video summary no later than 31 December 2027.

    SEK 35,000 after submission of the video.

The complete written report and concluding video summary must be submitted no later than 31 December 2027.

Reporting

The knowledge must be useful at home

The scholarship project must result in a systematic and practically useful body of knowledge that can be shared with others.

The complete written report and concluding video summary must be submitted no later than 31 December 2027.

The report and video may be submitted while a longer degree programme or stay abroad is still ongoing.

Written report in English

  • What was done and what was learned.
  • Findings, conclusions and relevance.
  • How the knowledge can be used in Sweden.

Filmed Executive Summary

  • In English and approximately two minutes long.
  • Summarises the question, the most important insights and the benefit to Sweden.
  • Published together with the report.