New support gives universities the opportunity to develop strategic research areas

The call for funding of strategic research areas (SFOs) is an assignment we were given in the Government’s research and innovation bill. It is higher education institutions (HEIs) that can apply for the funding. Striving for scientific excellence should be the foundation for all proposed initiatives.

Each HEI can only be the main applicant for one application per research area. On the other hand, HEIs can be included in several applications as a participating HEI.

The Swedish Research Council is responsible for managing the call and the expert review of applications. The government will make the final decisions on which eight areas will be funded, based on recommendations submitted by the Swedish Research Council in March 2026.

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 eight strategic research areas are:

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

The overall budget framework for the initiative is 200 million SEK for 2027, and 400 million SEK for 2028. Between one and three applications are expected to be funded within each strategic research area.

Advance information about the call is available here