Recommendations for the funding of strategic research areas now complete

Lund University and the Chalmers University of Technology came out best when the Swedish Energy Agency, Fas, Formas, the Swedish Research Council and VINNOVA have recommended the allocation of 5,270 m in research. This investment in strategic areas means an increase in research grants for seats of learning, which will rise to SEK 1,315 m annually from 2012.On June 15 the authorities presented a joint proposal for funding within the Government´s 20 nominated research areas. The recommendation is in reply to a government assignment in connection with the research proposition of 2008.
— Success resulting from this announcement can have a powerful effect for higher education institutions for a long time onwards," says Arne Johansson, who is responsible for the initiative and is also Secretary General of the Research Council. Those allocated funds now will, following an assessment in five years´ time, be allowed to keep the money as long-term grants.  

Finance proposed for 43 research environments


The 112 applications were reviewed by leading international experts and finance has been proposed for 43 of them. A large number of applications include collaboration between several higher education institutions.

Lund University came out best in the competition and it is proposed that they should receive SEK 715 m during a five-year period in order to build up world-leading research within nine strategic areas.

Close behind comes the Chalmers University of Technology which it is proposed will receive all of 700 m for five strategic areas. Finance has been recommended for Uppsala University, the Karolinska Institutet and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, within seven, six and five fields respectively (see table below).   

Special funds for infrastructure


Investment of SEK 748 m for infrastructure has been recommended during a five-year period within the framework of strategic investment, which means SEK 184 annually from 2012.— Many higher education institutions have indicated both a national and an international need for infrastructure. Investment in infrastructure is necessary for the development of Swedish research," Arne Johansson considers.

Recommended allocation of funds (2010-2014)

Recommended allocation of funds

Further information


Arne Johansson, responsible for the co-ordination of investment, Tel:+46- 8-546 44 201, +46-708-209 606, e-mail: arne.johansson@vr.se

Erland Hjelmquist, Secretary General of Fas, Tel: +46-8-775 40 71, e-mail: erland.hjelmquist@fas.se

Lena Gustafsson, acting Director General of Vinnova, Tel: +46-8-473 30 03, e-mail: lena.gustafsson@vinnova.se

Pär Omling, Director General of the Swedish Research Council, Tel: +46- 8-546 44 617, +46-708-229 839, e-mail: par.omling@vr.se

Rolf Annerberg, Director General at Formas, Tel: +46-8-775 40 58, +46-703-83 40 58, e-mail: rolf.annerberg@formas.se

Tomas Kåberger, Director General at the Energy Authority, Tel: +46-16-544 2001, e-mail: tomas.kaberger@energimyndigheten.se

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