Strategic research areas

Background

In the government bill "Research and Innovation for the Future – Curiosity and Usefulness" (prop. 2024/25:60), the Swedish government has proposed the introduction of eight new strategic research areas, for which HEIs may apply competitively. The government has based the new strategic research areas, among other things, on the input provided by HEIs, research funders, and other stakeholders in preparation for the bill. The aim of these strategic research areas is to ensure Sweden remains internationally competitive through mobilised efforts and increased profiling of Swedish research. The starting point is that the strategic initiatives should concern research that, in the long term, has the potential to be of the highest international quality or that has already reached that level.

The government intends to allocate a total of SEK 200 million in 2027 and SEK 400 million in 2028 to these areas. The funds will be distributed to HEIs as core funding for research and third cycle higher education.

The Strategic Research Areas are (see detailed descriptions later in the text):

• Health, life sciences, and artificial intelligence
• Quantum technologies
• Polar research
• Climate-related research
• Crisis preparedness and total defense
• Practice-oriented professional research on crime
• Excellence in school
• Research on advanced materials

The increase in funds received by a HEI is coupled with a mission that the institution will develop research in the strategic research area that is of the highest international standard. The mission should be clearly profiled and able to be developed from work that is already in progress. It should be possible for the strategic research area to become one of the most important profiles of the HEI. Striving for scientific excellence should be the foundation for all proposed initiatives.

The Swedish Research Council will handle the call for proposals and the peer review of applications from the HEIs. The government will make decisions on the eight areas covered by this call, based on recommendations submitted by the Swedish Research Council in March 2026. 1-3 applications are expected to be recommended for funding in each strategic research area.

Evaluation

According to the government bill 2024/25:60, the research funders will be tasked with evaluating the strategic research areas, to which the government allocates funding, as a basis for decisions on continued funding. Evaluations of each granted environment will be carried out in relation to

• the goals of the investment in strategic research areas, i.e. Swedish research of the highest international quality and mobilised efforts in the area
• what is described in the application submitted in this call.

How the earmarked money has been used and the environment has developed will be followed up.

Public access to information (and secrecy)

Documents submitted to the Swedish Research Council become official documents. The main rule is that the general public is entitled to partake of these, according to the principle of public access to official documents. This also applies to applications that are rejected or recalled by the applicant.

The Swedish Research Council does not have the option to classify as secret information in applications received relating to individuals’ business or operating circumstances, inventions or research results. This means that the starting point is that such information is official and may be disclosed when we receive a request to disclose an official document. Before submitting the application to the Swedish Research Council, the applicant therefore needs to decide whether publication of information in the application may affect the opportunity to make beneficial use of inventions or research results, including any impact on the preconditions for a patent application or other commercialisation. If the applicant then considers that some information is not suitable for making public, then that information should not be part of the application to the Swedish Research Council.

Application procedure

In order for a person to access the call and start the application process, they have to be authorised to create organisation applications on the organisation’s Prisma account. A research leader for the strategic area at the HEI that is the applicant should be invited as project leader for the application. (see under the heading “Applicant” below, and under the tab “Participants” in the application form). The project leader should be central to the application and to the development of the strategic research area.

Requirements for applicants

The following requirements must be fulfilled in order for the organisation to be eligible to apply for the grant. We carry out checks and reject applications that do not fulfil the requirements.

Applicant

The applicant must be a Swedish HEI that may receive core funding from the government in research and education at postgraduate level. The applying HEI has overall responsibility for the development of the initiative and the HEIs vice-chancellor is responsible for the application. A research leader, who must have a doctoral degree, for the strategic area at the HEI that is the applicant shall be invited to be the project leader for the application. The project leader, who must have a doctoral degree, should be central to the application and to the development of the strategic research area.

Two or more HEIs may submit a joint application, where one HEI is the applicant and the other HEIs are participants. Letters of support from the participating HEIs must be attached to the application. Collaboration among HEIs is not mandatory. Depending on the area, however, this may be necessary to achieve the intended mobilised efforts.

Each HEI can only be the applicant for one application per strategic research area. A HEI may participate in one or several applications within the same or different strategic research areas. Participating HEIs must be HEIs that may receive core funding from the government in research and education at postgraduate level.

Participating researchers

At least 2 and up to 9 participating researchers shall be included in the application. The participating researchers must be active at the applying HEI or at the participating HEIs and have a doctoral degree. They must be research leaders who are central to the application and to the development of the strategic research area. Participating researchers from HEIs other than the applicant shall be contact persons and representatives for the participating HEI.

Participating researchers shall provide the necessary information themselves in Prisma, and upload these to the application.

What must the application contain?

Please refer to the application form in Prisma in parallel with reading the instructions below, which describe the call-specific contents of the application. More information on what to do in practical terms is available in our Guide for applicants.

International experts are involved in the scientific evaluation of the applications. To ensure fair and equitable assessment and efficient processing, please therefore complete the application in English.

The information we request under each tab in the application form is described below.

Descriptive information

Abstract

The abstract shall include a brief description of the following:

• the focus of the strategic research area
• the organisation planned
• the significance to the research field.

The text shall provide an overview of the strategic research area. Please use wording to ensure persons with another subject specialisation can understand the information.

The description may cover a maximum of 1 500 characters including blank spaces. This is approximately one third of an A4 page in Arial, font size 11, single line spacing.

Research description

Research programme

The research programme shall consist of a brief summary of the strategic research area's purpose and aims, the main research questions, and how planned research could advance the research frontier. The text should be readable and understandable by a generalist panel.

The programme may cover a maximum of 20 page-numbered A4 pages in Arial, font size 11, single line spacing and 2.5 cm margins, including references and any images. References shall be stated with detailed information of the source; links alone are not sufficient.

The programme must include the following headings and information, listed in the following order:

Purpose and aims

State the overall purpose and specific aims with the research within the environment for the strategic research area.

State of the art

Summarise briefly the current research frontier in the field to which the strategic research area belongs. Also explain how the proposed research has the potential to achieve the highest international scientific quality, as well as how it may advance or renew the current research frontier and describe the strategies to achieve this.

Previous results

Describe the HEIs previous research in the area that supports the feasibility of the proposed research. Also describe the quality of the existing research in an international context.

Research description

Describe the main research questions, implementation, an overview of the timeline, and any preliminary results of the planned research.

International and national collaboration

Describe national and international research collaborations within the strategic research area and how they can strengthen the quality and feasibility of the research. This may include research groups, HEIs, and/or other relevant actors.

Ethical considerations

Reflect on the ethical issues that may arise and describe them. Discuss how any ethical dilemmas will be handled. Please justify why the research should be carried out against the background of the ethical issues identified.

If no ethical issues are raised, please justify this. The description may cover a maximum of 4 000 characters including blank spaces. This is approximately one A4 page in Arial, font size 11, single line spacing.

More information is available on the page Conducting ethical research.

Prerequisites for mobilised efforts and increased profiling

Description of prerequisites for mobilised efforts and increased profiling

The description shall include a brief summary of the environment's prerequisites and plans for mobilised efforts and increased profiling in relation to the research landscape, both in Sweden and internationally. It may cover a maximum of 12 page-numbered A4 pages in Arial, font size 11, single line spacing and 2.5 cm margins.

The description must include the following headings and information, listed in the following order:

Organisation

Describe the organizational structure, i.e. an organizational plan with management and role distribution among participating parties. (Please note that this sentence was added on 11 September.)

Describe also how planned or existing collaborations between research groups/HEIs/other actors contribute to mobilised efforts and increased profiling so that the research environment can assert itself internationally and reach the highest scientific level.

The HEI's commitment, prioritisation and strategic efforts

Describe the HEIs commitment, prioritisation, and strategic efforts to support the strategic research area.

Competence supply

Describe existing and planned competence supply, both short-term and long-term, as well as any strategic plans for recruitment. Describe the roles of the leading individuals within the strategic research area, as well as the gender distribution among these individuals in relation to the conditions and implementation of the research. Any deviations from a 40/60 gender balance must be justified.

Need for research infrastructure

Describe and justify the need for national and international research infrastructure in relation to the strategic research area. Also, explain how this need can be met, both in terms of access and long-term strategies. The Swedish Research Council funds research infrastructures that are open to all. If there is need to use other infrastructures instead, please justify this (also applies for local research infrastructure).

Letter of support from participating HEIs

Two or more higher education institutions may submit a joint application, in which one institution acts as the main applicant and the others are participating institutions.

The Swedish Research Council wants to ensure that all participating institutions support the application and are aware of the scope of the activities and the commitments involved. Therefore, letters of support from the vice-chancellors of all participating institutions must be attached to the application. Please note that the letters must be written in English.

Each letter of support may cover no more than two A4 pages, plus one further page if required for any digital signature. If several organisations are involved, all letters of support must be compiled into a single PDF file. Letters of support from organisations other than the participating institutions should not be submitted. The applying institution should not sign a letter of support but confirms its responsibility by signing the application in Prisma.

A template for the letter of support is available here. docx, 39.1 kB. (docx, 39.1 kB)

Publications and other research outputs

Please attach a publication list with the 50 publications and other research outputs that are most important for the strategic research area. Also describe the relevance of each output to the strategic area (maximum 4 lines per output). The list shall cover a maximum of 10 page-numbered A4 pages in Arial, font size 11, single line spacing and 2.5 cm margins. (Please note that the number was changed on 27 October. Previously, it stated 5 pages)

Sort the outputs in reverse chronological order, so that the latest publication is at the top of the list. Please only include articles or equivalent that are published or accepted for publication at the time of applying. The author name order shall be identical to that of the published work. The application cannot be supplemented with publications after the deadline for the call.

Budget

Describe the budget for the first five years (2027–2031) and justify the costs. The minimum budget to be reported is one third of the government's allocated budget for 2027 for the area, and the remaining years according to the allocated budget for 2028.

The budget should include the requested amount and the additional resources required to implement the research program, as well as any contributions from collaborating partners. The budget can include all types of project related costs such as

• salaries divided into different categories (administration/management/project management, research activities divided into senior researchers, doctoral students and technical/administrative staff)
• premises
• running costs (such as consumables, travel including stays at research facilities, publication costs and minor equipment)
• depreciation costs for establishing research infrastructure at the research group or departmental level – so-called medium-cost equipment – that cannot be met through existing core facilities (university-wide resources) at the institutional or national level. All investments in research infrastructure must be justified based on the needs of the strategic research area, in accordance with what is described under “Prerequisites for mobilised efforts and increased profiling” above
• other depreciation costs.

If the application involves collaboration between HEIs, the distribution of funds between the applicant and participating HEIs must be stated. Any contributions from collaborating parties outside of academia must also be stated.

The budget shall include indirect costs as a percentage of the direct costs, according to the model used by the administrating organisation.

The budget may cover a maximum of 2 A4 pages.

Administrating organisation

Please state the location of the strategic research area.

Participants

Under this tab, the person invited to be the project leader may in turn invite participating researchers and participating administrators to the application.

CV

Under this tab, the project leader shall upload the relevant CV information from their personal account in Prisma. Participating researchers must upload their own CV information to the application.

The following information, where available, must always be included in the respective CV, according to the stated limitation in numbers:

Education

First, second and third cycle higher education and specialist degrees.

Work

• Current employment (including information on employment format)
• Longer relevant employment
• Post-doctoral visits (state also as employment if applicable)
• Researcher exchanges of relevance to the research described
• Any longer interruptions in the research that have impacted on the opportunity to gain merit as a researcher.

Merits and awards

• Docentship/associate professorship
• Persons supervised (postdoctoral and doctoral students; state the number of persons in each category and list the names of the maximum 10 most relevant)
• Relevant grants received in competition (list maximum 10)
• Relevant prizes and awards (list maximum 10)
• Any other merits of relevance to the application, such as invitations to lecture, leader assignments, representative assignments, experience of collaboration with actors outside academia or similar.

Intellectual property rights

For example, patents and open access computer programs developed by the researcher; state up to 10 of the most relevant.

Strategic research areas

Health, life sciences, and artificial intelligence

Scientific progress in life sciences is made possible through the development of new tools, techniques, and methods. With high-quality medical research and innovation, Sweden has favorable conditions to become a leader in making personalized prevention, diagnostics, and treatment accessible, contributing to a long-term sustainable healthcare system.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by improving quality and diagnostic capabilities across a wide range of medical fields. AI can assist in preventive healthcare by, for example, identifying risks, and it also offers opportunities for increased efficiency in various ways. Despite its potential, implementation in healthcare is not progressing quickly enough.

The government is establishing strategic research areas focusing on health, life sciences, and AI to mobilise leading Swedish research in the field and thereby harness the potential that AI can offer. Such knowledge generation is relevant both in Sweden and globally.

For 2027, SEK 31 million is allocated for the initiative in research on health, life sciences, and AI. Subsequently, SEK 61.5 million is projected for 2028 for this purpose.

Quantum technologies

Technological breakthroughs and increasingly complex scientific questions are driving development forward. Quantum technology is rapidly advancing worldwide and is considered a key technology that will influence developments across many sectors of society. To harness the potential of quantum technology, strong basic research is needed as a foundation for technological leaps in various applications expected to emerge from this new technology.

In May 2024, the government tasked the Swedish Research Council with developing a proposal on how a national quantum strategy could be designed. Sweden has a strong research base, but at the same time, global competition in the field is increasing. Altogether, this means that further investments are required, along with increased coordination and a clear national strategy.

The initiative on strategic research areas in quantum technologies aims to further strengthen Sweden's capabilities and international position in the quantum field in both the short and long term, and to enhance the attractiveness of Swedish researchers and research environments as international collaboration partners.

For 2027, SEK 50 million is allocated for the initiative in research in quantum technology. Subsequently, SEK 100 million is projected for 2028 for this purpose.

Polar research

Sweden is highly prominent in polar research, and as a way to secure this position, the government is establishing strategic research areas in the field.

Polar research includes studies in or of the Arctic and/or Antarctic and is often multi- and interdisciplinary. The research may address global issues, societal challenges, and sustainable development, focusing on aspects such as climate, environment, security policy, and international law, with individual projects potentially having a local focus. The field of research spans a wide range of scientific disciplines, time periods, as well as geographic and societal structures, and involves many different research performers. Research in polar regions often depends on advanced research infrastructure, extensive logistical support, and large-scale international collaborations.

For 2027, SEK 22 million is allocated for the initiative in polar research. Subsequently, SEK 44.5 million is projected for 2028 for this purpose.

Climate-related research

The scientific consensus is robust in concluding that human activity is the cause of climate change and global warming. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that climate change is increasingly affecting nature and human living conditions around the world. A changing climate, with extreme weather events such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and droughts, is associated with more prolonged conflicts, rising food prices, uncertainty around food and water supply, income loss, and costly damage to buildings and infrastructure. Research and innovation are essential to counteract climate change, manage its consequences, and achieve a successful climate transition.

The investment in strategic areas within climate-related research aims to strengthen the knowledge base for effective measures and technological solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation — such as eliminating or minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing the most effective possible climate adaptation strategies. For the actions informed by research to lead to real change, a comprehensive approach is required, one that also includes social science research — for example, on social acceptance, economic aspects of the climate change, and other societal impacts resulting from climate change.

Within the framework of funding for research and postgraduate education at universities and colleges, SEK 22 million is allocated for 2027 for investment in research on climate change and adaptation. Subsequently, SEK 44.5 million is projected for 2028 for this purpose.

Crisis preparedness and total defense

In an uncertain and rapidly changing global situation, Sweden’s crisis preparedness and total defence are facing swift and extensive growth. New knowledge at the forefront of research is needed to contribute to Sweden’s capacity for innovation and resilience. This may include everything from basic research to interdisciplinary studies with various knowledge focuses and within different fields that are important for Swedish crisis preparedness and total defence.

For 2027, SEK 24 million is allocated for the initiative in research on crisis preparedness and total defense. Subsequently, SEK 47 million is projected for 2028 for this purpose.

Practice-oriented professional research on crime

In light of the societal threat posed by organised crime, the need for knowledge-based practice in the law enforcement field has never been greater. Crime is highly complex and rapidly changing. It also has extensive international ramifications. New technology and digital platforms are being exploited for criminal purposes, while digital information is also a resource in law enforcement that must be used in the best possible way.

In order to meet the increasing complexity and pace of change in crime, excellent practice-oriented research is particularly important. Research needs to follow and drive developments towards better equipped law enforcement authorities, and better crime prevention work in society. There is a great need for practice-oriented and interdisciplinary research that also includes collaboration with other crucial public institutions.

For 2027, SEK 12.5 million is allocated for the initiative in practice-oriented professional research on crime. Subsequently, SEK 25 million is projected for 2028 for this purpose.

Excellence in school

Imparting knowledge is the school’s most important mission. For schools to impart knowledge as effectively as possible, and for students to be able to absorb it in the best possible way, practice-oriented research focusing on educational outcomes is needed. Such an initiative can strengthen Sweden as a nation of knowledge. Education should be grounded in science. Therefore, research that promotes student learning and high-quality teaching is essential. There is also a need for research on school organisation and leadership to prepare students for the future. To achieve the goal of a knowledge-based education system where all students are given the opportunity to reach their full potential, a strong commitment to excellent practice-oriented research is necessary.

For 2027, SEK 25 million is allocated for the initiative in practice-oriented professional research on schools. Subsequently, SEK 50 million is projected for 2028 for this purpose.

Research on advanced materials

Advanced materials are crucial for Sweden’s industrial competitiveness and the Swedish economy. To safeguard Sweden’s competitiveness, research that contributes to the industry’s transition and productivity is required. For the industry to transition to fossil-free operations, increased circularity, energy storage, and new innovative materials are needed.

In an international context, Sweden holds a strong position relative to its size in the field of materials research. Technical and natural science research on advanced materials contributes to the industry’s transition and productivity, has a broad range of applications, and is applicable across various technologies. This may involve improved efficiency in the conversion of different fossil-free energy sources, batteries and semiconductors with increased efficiency, or lighter materials that combine reduced energy consumption with increased safety.

In 2027, SEK 13.5 million is allocated for the initiative research on advanced materials. Subsequently, SEK 27.5 million is projected for 2028 for this purpose.

How your application is assessed

Scientific quality is the fundamental criterion when the Swedish Research Council assess research applications. Your application is evaluated in competition with the other applications on the basis of the following evaluation criteria.

Evaluation process

Your application for Strategic Research Areas is evaluated by a review panel consisting of members who are international researchers. The panel is subject-specialized and has the competence to evaluate the organizational aspects of the application.

At least three members review and grade your application individually. If extra competence is needed, your application might also be evaluated by an additional, external, reviewer. The entire review panel (not including any external reviewers) then meets at two review panel meetings to discuss and prioritise the applications, and to make a proposal for applications to be recommended for funding.

Review panels:

• Excellence in school
• Crisis preparedness and total defense
• Climate-related research
• Polar research
• Practice-oriented professional research on crime
• Quantum technologies
• Health, life sciences, and artificial intelligence
• Research on advanced materials

For Strategic Research Areas, a two-step procedure is used. In the first step, the review panel conducts a scientific assessment and selects the applications they consider to be of the highest quality. These applications proceed to a second meeting where representatives from the applying higher education institution and any collaborating institutions have the opportunity to respond to the panel’s questions.

Interviews with a selection of applicants will be conducted digitally on the following dates:

• 2026-02-03 Excellence in school
• 2026-02-05 Crisis preparedness and total defense
• 2026-02-06 Climate-related research
• 2026-02-11 Polar research
• 2026-02-11 Practice-oriented professional research on crime
• 2026-02-17 Quantum technologies
• 2026-02-18 Health, life sciences, and artificial intelligence
• 2026-02-19 Research on advanced materials

Applicants are requested to reserve the date applicable to the relevant area.

Upon completion of the evaluation, the application will receive a statement containing the grades as well as a summary of the review panel’s discussion and assessment of the quality of the application.

Here you will find a more comprehensive description of the Swedish Research Council's assessment of applications.

Evaluation criteria and guiding questions

The applications are evaluated on the basis of three assessment criteria (Relevance to the strategic research area, Scientific quality in an international comparison, and Conditions for mobilized efforts and increased profiling of the highest international quality). The criteria are assessed on a seven-grade scale, except for Relevance to the Strategic Research Area, which is assessed on a three-grade scale.

For each criterion, there are guiding questions to support the panel members’ evaluation of your application. These can also function as guidance for you when you write your application.

Relevance to the strategic research area (1–3)

Guiding question:

• To what extent is the application relevant to the strategic research area as described in the call?

Scientific quality in an international comparison (1–7)

Guiding questions:

Quality and Research Front

• How well does the research correspond to the highest international scientific quality? Has the environment/environments already reached this level, or does it show strong potential to do so?
• To what extent do the research questions and objectives create conditions for scientific breakthroughs or innovative results that can advance the research front?
• What scientific significance has the institution’s/institutions’ previous research had within the strategic area?

Feasibility

• How well-founded and realistic is the plan for carrying out the proposed research?
• To what extent are there—or are there plans for—national and international research collaborations that can strengthen the quality and feasibility of the research? This may include research groups, institutions, and/or other relevant actors.
• How well are research ethics addressed in the application? Are the considerations clearly presented and sufficient?

Conditions for mobilized efforts and increased profiling of the highest international quality (1–7)

Guiding questions:

Strategy and Collaboration

• To what extent are there strategies and conditions for mobilized efforts and increased profiling of the research so that Sweden can compete internationally and reach the highest scientific level?
• How well do the institution’s/institutions’ strategic priorities, commitment, and long-term work support the development of the research area?
• How well do planned or existing collaborations, between research groups/institutions/other actors, contribute to concentration and profiling within the area?

Competence Supply and Gender Equality

• To what extent are there strategies for competence supply and recruitment that ensure continuity and development of the research area in both the short and long term?
• How well are the people who have leading roles in the strategic research area described, their responsibilities and their importance for the development of the research environment?
• Are any deviations from a gender distribution of 40/60 for the leading people well justified in relation to the conditions and implementation of the research?

Resources and Infrastructure

• Are the financial conditions realistic and aligned with the environment’s goals and ambitions?
• To what extent is there access to relevant equipment and research infrastructure, or a clear strategy to ensure this? In cases where research needs to be conducted in collaboration with external actors, are there established or planned structures and resources for this?