Legal pathways and the right to seek asylum are often linked. However, Delmi now wants to broaden the perspective and explore how these pathways can provide an alternative to other means of migration while contributing to a more predictable and sustainable migration policy. These include a range of existing instruments, such as the quota refugee system through UNHCR, but also new channels based on labour migration, education and family reunification, and community sponsorship for refugees.
As migration researcher Bernd Parusel describes, they can: ‘aim at refugees and other people in need of protection, who would get legal access as workers, family members - family reunification or family formation - or students, and thus manage to reach Europe without having to travel irregularly to access an asylum procedure. It can also aim at people with no grounds for protection, who would be discouraged from using the asylum system without having realistic prospects of receiving a positive decision’ (Parusel 2020:11).
With this announcement, Delmi wants to stimulate research that highlights how legal pathways can be used both to meet Sweden's existing labour needs and to give more people the opportunity to study further, which in turn can benefit future skills supply.
The call is aimed at PhD researchers and the budget for the project can be discussed via email with the responsible investigators Henrik Malm Lindberg and Jenny Bergsten (see contact info below). The study must be policy-relevant, be able to reach a broad audience and be ready for publication by November 2025.
How to apply
Apply by sending an application together with a CV to ju.delmi@regeringskansliet.se . Please mark the application with the reference number Komm2025/00020.
The application should include a description, cost estimate and timeline. We accept applications in Swedish and English. According to the timetable, the study must be ready for publication by November 2025. The deadline for applications is 28th of February 2025.
Assessment criteria and conditions
To apply, you must be a doctoral researcher and should be affiliated with a higher education institution or equivalent, Swedish or international. Grants will be assessed on the basis of quality and feasibility, as well as the applicant(s)' qualifications and previous publications of relevance. The applications will be assessed by a responsible research secretary at Delmi's office in consultation with a responsible member of Delmi. Formal decisions are taken by the Delmi committee members.
About Delmi
The Delegation for Migration Studies is an independent committee that initiates studies and disseminates research results. More information about Delmi is available on our website (www.delmi.se).
For questions, please contact:
Henrik Malm Lindberg henrik.malm.lindberg@regeringskansliet.se
Jenny Bergsten jenny.bergsten@regeringskansliet.se
or ju.delmi@regeringskansliet.se
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