In the final round of a call for applications for one of Sweden's most prestigious research grants, 40 relatively young and potentially promising researchers remained. Half were eventually approved; the other half were rejected. The differences between them in terms scientific merit were investigated. No particular differences were found. How did these two groups differ in terms of scientific development a few years later, with respect to publications, international coauthorships, further

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... g and spin-offs? Results show that the approved group has been more successful in many ways. A discussion is held regarding the effects of providing young promising researchers with sufficient funding, and the cost of failing to do so.