Research in Sweden
The sky is the limit!
Research in Sweden
Sweden is among the nations worldwide that devote the most money to research relative to its population. Sweden's expenditures for R&D is total 3.26% of GDP.
The business sector accounts for around 70 percent and the higher education sector for 27% of this spending. Companies largely fund their own research, but receive some contributions from the government and abroad.
Public sector research funding
The public sector finances R&D through grants paid directly to higher education institutions (HEIs) and through support for research councils and sectoral research agencies. In addition, several research foundations have been started with public funds, providing research funding in excess of SEK 1.2 billion annually.
The Swedish Parliament grants R&D funds in all of the ministries' spheres of responsibility. The Minister for Higher Education and Research is responsible for overall coordination of research policy in the Government Offices. By far the greatest share of publicly funded research in Sweden is conducted in HEIs. Research institutes account for only a small share, which distinguishes Sweden by international comparison.
The information above and much more regarding research in Sweden is to be found at the website of the Swedish Research Council, a public agency under the authority of the Ministry of Education and Research, www.vr.se
Useful links:
The Swedish system of research funding
The Swedish Research Barometer, the Swedish research system in international comparison.
The Swedish Higher Education Authority. Information about Higher Education Institutions in Sweden and a list of university colleges, universities and independent higher education providers.
Swedish Government, information about research funding in Sweden.
Government agencies
How to apply
Generally researchers submit their applications to the respective Swedish funding agencies on their own. Applications should normally be approved / signed by a Head of Department. Read more by following the links, what applies for the different funding agencies and about current open calls.
Grants are normally awarded for several types of activities, such as projects grants, junior researcher grants, postdoc grants, visiting professors, workshops, etc. Each funding agency specifies which grants will be available.
Forte, Formas and the Swedish Research Council use a common application system, Prisma, for the applications. For applications in Prisma you must be employed by an approved administrating organisation in Sweden during the grant period. Who is an approved organisation will be shown in Prisma and further information is available on the respective funding agency’s web page.
Other funding
- Kungliga Vetenskapsakademien, KVA, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
- Kungliga Ingenjörsvetenskapsakademien, IVA, the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.
- Stiftelsen för internationalisering av högre utbildning och forskning, STINT, the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education
- Stiftelsen för kunskaps- och kompetensutveckling, KK, the Knowledge Foundation
- Stiftelsen för miljöstrategisk forskning, Mistra, the Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research
- Stiftelsen för strategisk forskning, SSF, the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research
- Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, RJ, the Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation which mainly finances research in the humanities, theology,social sciences and law.
- Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, which provides substantial funding for scientific equipment in particular.
- Swedish Cancer Society is an independent non-profit organisation that raise and distribute money for cancer research.
- Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation is a charitable fundraising organisation that distributes money to heart, lung and vascular research.
RISE Research Institutes of Sweden
RISE is Sweden’s research institute and innovation partner. Through our international collaboration programmes with industry, academia and the public sector, we ensure the competitiveness of the Swedish business community on an international level and contribute to a sustainable society. Our 2,700 employees engage in and support all types of innovation processes. RISE is an independent, State-owned research institute, which offers unique expertise and over 100 testbeds and demonstration environments for future-proof technologies, products and services. Read more at www.ri.se