New input to the development of the model for prioritising and funding research infrastructures

Research infrastructures are often prerequisites for performing research of the highest quality. It is therefore important that prioritising and funding research infrastructure occur in a strategic and effective manner. As part of the work to develop a new model to be used in Sweden, the Swedish Research Council has commissioned an analysis of the processes that exist in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States, and within the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI).

“Since 2015, the Swedish Research Council has been using a model based on a needs-inventory followed by prioritisation and targeted calls. This has worked well in many ways, but there are also areas that need improvement. The external analysis is one of several inputs to the change process,” says Lisbeth Olsson, Secretary general of the Council for Research Infrastructures at the Swedish Research Council.

The analysis provides a brief overview of the funding systems in the selected countries and also includes a discussion of the different processes used. Among other things, it examines how different countries work to create an overall understanding of the entire infrastructure landscape as a basis for prioritisation and what the actual processes for prioritisation and funding look like.

The report also contains recommendations to the Swedish Research Council as input to our review of our own model. Some of the most important recommendations includes creating a better overview of the infrastructure landscape as well as to engage in dialogue with stakeholders. The development of a strategic map is also highlighted, as it will provide better long-term prioritisation capabilities.

”These recommendations and the analysis are important to us. The research infrastructure landscape is becoming increasingly complex, and the new model needs to be able to provide a better overall picture and opportunities for strategic decisions and prioritisation. We have taken the recommendations as input to our continued work,” says Lisbeth Olsson.

In 2025, we began mapping the Swedish infrastructure landscape. In addition, we were given a Government mandate to map and analyse Swedish participation in international research infrastructures. This will also provide useful knowledge, she points out.

”With all this as a basis and in close collaboration with the Swedish Research Council’s scientific councils and committees, we can identify how developments in research are changing the needs for research infrastructures. From here, we will build a strategic map in dialogue with stakeholders and adapt our processes. This is a task that will take time, but we look forward to an improved model that will support the growing needs of the Swedish Research community in the best way.”

While this work is ongoing, we will continue to fund research infrastructure according to the current model. Proposals submitted in autumn 2025 are currently being processed, and a call for proposals for research infrastructure of national interest is planned to open in autumn 2026.

Read the report Analysis of processes for prioritisation and funding of research infrastructure