news article
New research centres to facilitate return to work
Forte is funding three research centres that will strengthen knowledge on how to better support people on sick leave in returning to work. The centres conduct interdisciplinary research on workplaces, health and work ability, healthcare interventions, and the societal conditions that influence the return-to-work process.
The three research centres are funded within Fortes call Research centre grants 2025. All centres are expected to conduct high-quality research that addresses societal knowledge needs and generates significant societal benefits.
The RELATE research centre
People are living longer, while rates of sickness absence increase after the age of 55, primarily due to mental health conditions and pain. Those employed in physically and psychosocially demanding occupations often leave working life several years earlier than others. At the same time, many sectors face labour shortages, even though six in ten people in Sweden say they would be willing to work longer if the right support were available.
RELATE addresses these challenges by working at multiple levels: the individual, the workplace and the policy level. The centre brings together research on health, rehabilitation, ageing, work organisation, technology and societal systems to better understand what is needed for more people to be both able and willing to remain in working life for longer. The goal is to develop strategies that both reduce sickness absence and enable people to extend their working lives in a sustainable way.
To RELATEs webpage External link.
The UGot ReWork research centre
The University of Gothenburg hosts UGot ReWork, a research centre focusing on return to work in collaboration with primary healthcare. The centre brings together researchers from several academic disciplines to develop new knowledge on sustainable return to work, with a particular focus on mental health conditions and musculoskeletal pain.
UGot ReWork investigates which individuals are at risk of prolonged sickness absence and may need support from employers and the healthcare system to return to work. This includes, for example, studies on how the organisation of healthcare affects return-to-work interventions, and how collaboration functions between employers, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and the healthcare system.
To UGot ReWorks webpage External link.
The Stockholm Centre for Return to Work
The Stockholm Centre for Return to Work, based at Karolinska Institutet, aims to promote interdisciplinary research that supports a sustainable and inclusive return to work.
The centre addresses key knowledge gaps across the entire return-to-work process by improving knowledge, coordination and practical support. Its research focuses on the need for common measures to monitor return to work, reliable prognostic tools, greater understanding of employers' responsibilities, effective workplace- and healthcare-based interventions, and improved collaboration between healthcare, workplaces and other societal stakeholders. A strong emphasis is also placed on translating research findings into innovation and education, ensuring that evidence-based practices are implemented in real-world settings and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable return to work.
To Stockholm Centre for Return to Works webpage External link.
A total of eleven new centres – major investment in strong research environments
Within our call Research centre grants 2025, Forte is funding a total of eleven ten-year research centres. The eleven centres focus on research in four areas: women’s health and diseases, return to work, severe mental illnesses, and health care and social care for people living with dementia.
The research centre call is part of Forte’s investment in strong research environments.
