Finding the “Small grants” — and why they’re worth your time
In this meeting, Juanita Vélez Olivera will share insights into how to navigate the often overlooked world of small funds — opportunities that can support personal projects, research ambitions, and professional development. She highlights how success is not reserved for the “top 1 percent,” but is accessible to anyone who knows where to look, how to shape their search, and how to present their needs effectively.
This meeting is relevant to anyone interested in broadening their funding strategies and discovering how small grants can open big doors.
Juanita Vélez Olivera International coordinator at International Office, Umeå University
Juanita Vélez Olivera holds a PhD in Modern Languages. She has spent nearly a decade navigating Sweden’s academic landscape and has built extensive expertise in identifying and securing smaller grants and scholarships. Her journey began already as a teenager applying for language scholarships, and has since developed into a structured approach, a personal toolbox, and a growing database of funding opportunities.
About Beyond Calls
Beyond Calls is a recurring group meeting for researchers at Umeå University who want to strengthen their understanding of what makes funding applications successful. Learn what really works directly from fellow researchers and guest funders. Bring your questions, share your experience and connect with colleagues who want to sharpen their proposals and build strong networks for future calls.
At each meeting, researchers share practical insights and personal experiences about what makes a proposal stand out. Get insight in the unwritten rules and clever strategies rarely found in the official call texts.
Upcoming Beyond Calls meetings
This is a meeting series that takes place once a month. Take a look at the other scheduled meetings here.