Linnaeus University Centre for Data Intensive Sciences and Applications

Seed projects

DISA encourages and supports seed projects that aim to advance research, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration within data-intensive sciences and applications.

There are two types of seed projects. Seed Project Type 1 is intended to strengthen DISA’s research areas in computer science, mathematics, and data-intensive applications. The project must be connected to at least one of DISA’s research areas. Applicants should clearly indicate in their application which DISA research area or research group the project belongs to and ensure that the relevant research coordinator has been informed of the application.

Seed Project Type 2 addresses the growing interest in exploring and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning into research and development in fields that are not traditionally associated with DISA's area of activity. Seed Project Type 2 therefore supports projects that develop, test, or implement AI-based methods and contribute to strengthening the use of AI across the university.

For complete information, please refer to the linked document.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To be considered at the next meeting of the DISA coordinators, applications must be submitted no later than the last day of each month.

Financial support

For Seed Project Type 1, DISA may provide funding of up to SEK 100,000 to initiate research collaborations within data-intensive sciences and applications. External partners may receive up to 50% of the total DISA funding allocated to the project, provided that they contribute matching funding.

For Seed Project Type 2, support is primarily provided through access to the university’s AI infrastructure and technical expertise from the university’s AI engineer. Where relevant and subject to resource availability, researchers affiliated with DISA may also contribute expertise and support.

Objectives for seed projects

The purpose of seed projects is to strengthen the prospects for future external research funding and high-quality scientific publications. Applications should therefore clearly explain how the proposed activities will contribute to achieving these objectives.

Examples of relevant activities include establishing new interdisciplinary collaborations between researchers and with external partners, conducting pilot studies to explore new research questions, collecting data and carrying out initial analyses, or developing research concepts, methods, and infrastructure.

Prerequisites and evaluation criteria

For Seed Project Type 1, the project consortium must include one or more researchers affiliated with DISA. To foster interdisciplinary collaboration, participants should represent different research areas and have clearly defined roles within the project. Collaboration with industry or the public sector is considered an advantage, and the application should describe the added value the project will create for the consortium.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the relevant research leader at an early stage to discuss and further develop their project ideas. Information about DISA’s research groups and contact details for the respective research leaders can be found further on this page.

If any consortium member is involved in another ongoing seed project, the relationship between the projects should be explained in the application.

Applications for Seed Project Type 1 will be evaluated based on their relevance to DISA’s operational and strategic goals, the feasibility of the proposed work, and the project's potential to lead to external funding and high-quality scientific publications.

For Seed Project Type 2, the evaluation will focus on the feasibility of the project and its potential to result in external funding or scientific publications. Applications should also clearly explain how the integration of AI or machine learning is expected to contribute to development, innovation, or new research opportunities within the proposed field of study.

For more information about the seed project concept, please contact Elin Gunnarsson