Research and development
Higher education in Sweden is governed by the Swedish Parliament (Riksdag) and the Government (Regeringen) through the Higher Education Act1 (Högskolelagen), enacted by the Riksdag, and the Government Ordinance on Higher Education2 (Högskoleförordningen).
The Higher Education Act regulates public universities and higher education institutions; it establishes governance, recruitment practices and provisions for gender equality, academic freedom, the system of academic qualifications and appointments.
The Ministry of Education and Research (Utbildningsdepartementet) is responsible for the government agencies that carry out the activities decided by Riksdag and Government. The Research Bill (Forskningsproposition), which defines Swedish research policy and affects universities and publicly funded institutions is updated by the Government every four years. Its content is defined through a process of negotiation between the Government and the different actors involved in research and higher education.
Sweden’s commitment to spending on R&D has exceeded the EU target of 3% of GDP for several years. On average, however, around 70% of this spending is supported by private. The latest allocation for the four-year period 2021-2024 has seen an investment on research and development (R&D) in 20213 of ~3.3% of GDP; in 20224 of ~3.4% of GDP while in 20235 it was ~3.4% of GDP. In 20246, the Swedish Government further increased its investment in research and innovation as part of the strategy to improve the country’s competitiveness and international partnerships to address major societal challenges, safeguard research freedom and ensure that the country remains a leading research and innovation nation.
In December 2024, the Swedish Government presented the new research strategy and the economic plan for the four-year period 2025-2028. In the new draft law (Act 2024/25:1) the Government proposed an increase in funding for research and innovation of ~SEK 1.5 billion for 2025. Investment will continue to increase gradually until 2028 when the increase will be ~SEK 6.5 billion. In the draft law, the Government will support investment in research of high quality competitive funding for universities and colleges, strategic recruitment, support for centres of excellence and internationally competitive innovative research.
- The-Swedish-Higher-Education-Act/
- The-Higher-Education-Ordinance/
- https://www.vr.se/Swedish_Research_Barometer
- https://www.scb.se/en/finding-statistics/
- https://www.investingothenburg.com/
- https://www.uu.se/en/news/2024/
Governmental research funding bodies
The main government research funding bodies in Sweden are: Vetenskapsrådet, Vinnova, Formas, and Forte, but there are also other government agencies that support research in different areas:
Swedish Research Council – Vetenskapsrådet – (https://www.vr.se/english.html)
The Swedish Research Council is the largest government research funding body of the country. It finances research and research infrastructures in all areas.
Vinnova (https://www.vinnova.se/en)
Government agency operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation and the national authority designated to follow the EU funding programs for research and innovation. Vinnova mainly finances research that emerges from technological demands in the main areas of transport, communication and job’s world.
Formas (https://www.formas.se/en/)
Formas is a government agency devoted to research for sustainable development. It funds research and innovation in three areas: environment, agricultural science and land use planning.
Forte (https://forte.se/en/)
Forte is a government agency of the Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. It funds research on health, working life and well-being.
Swedish Energy Agency (http://www.energimyndigheten.se/en/)
This Swedish agency funds research on energy supply, conversion, distribution and use. It also provides support for the R&D of new technologies.
Swedish National Space Agency (www.rymdstyrelsen.se/en)
Government agency supporting space research
Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (www.naturvardsverket.se/en)
Agency that supports environmental research, environmental monitoring and international collaborations in the field of environment and climate.
Swedish Institute for Educational Research (www.skolfi.se/other-languages/english)
This institution funds practice-based research on teaching and learning in kindergartens and schools.
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency – SIDA (www.sida.se/en)
This institution supports research that improves the lives of people living in poverty.
Swedish Radiation Safety Authority – SSM (www.stralsakerhetsmyndigheten.se/en)
Authority that funds research related to radiation protection.
A fundamental role in the world of Swedish research is played by numerous foundations that finance research projects both fundamental and applied in many fields, on a national scale, but also at a regional level. Some foundations support in particular scholarships, scientific exchanges and scholarships for academics. This is a list of the most important foundations in Sweden:
Erling-Persson Foundation (https://www.erlingperssonsstiftelse.se/)
It supports scientific research, mainly in medicine and healthcare.
Kempe Foundation (https://www.kempe.com/)
It aims to promote the development of northern Sweden with funds dedicated to people affiliated with institutions conducting research in specific counties.
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences – KVA (https://www.kva.se/en/)
This academy supports research and education in all fields mainly through scholarships and funds for scientific exchanges.
Riksbankens Jubileumsfond – RJ (https://www.rj.se/en/)
This foundation promotes research in the human and social sciences.
Royal Skyttean Society (http://skytteanskasamfundet.se/)
This society supports the cultural and scientific development in Norrland.
Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education – STINT (https://www.stint.se/en/)
STINT funds the development of knowledge and skills in the field of internationalization for researchers, teachers and managers of Swedish universities.
Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research – Mistra (https://www.mistra.org/en)
This foundation supports research on environmental issues. With the prospect of strengthening the country’s competitiveness, improving the quality of life and supporting the sustainable development of society, it collaborates with companies, public bodies and other institutions capable of making available and implementing the results of research.
Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research – SSF (https://strategiska.se/en/)
This foundation invests in research in science, engineering and medicine.
Wallenberg Foundations (http://www.wallenberg.org/en)
In Sweden there are several foundations of the Wallenberg family, some created in memory of family members. These private institution grant funding to individual researchers, to research projects, but also to training initiatives, as long as they are considered of interest to the country.
Kamprad Family Foundation – Familjen Kamprads stiftelse (www.familjenkampradsstiftelse.se)
Foundation dedicated to education and scientific research to promote entrepreneurship, the environment, expertise, health and social welfare.
Knowledge Foundation – kk-stiftelsen (www.kks.se/om-oss/in-english)
It funds research and expertise development at Swedish university colleges and new universities with the aim of strengthening competitiveness. This foundation finances collaborative activities between academic staff and business partners.
Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies – Östersjöstiftelsen (www.ostersjostiftelsen.se/en)
Supports research, doctoral studies and scientific infrastructures related to the Baltic Sea Region and Eastern Europe at Södertörn University
Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation – Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, rj (www.rj.se/en)
Independent institution that promotes and supports research in humanities and social sciences.
Olle Engkvist Stiftelse – (www.engkviststiftelserna.se)
Institution that supports the care and education of children, assistance to elderly or sick persons through the scientific research
Ragnar Söderbergs Foundation – Ragnar Söderbergs stiftelse (www.ragnar.soderbergs.org)
Supports young research talents from Swedish universities through calls dedicated to medicine, economics and law.
Other regional or Nordic foundations are:
Kempestiftelserna (www.kempe.com)
Sten A Olsson Foundation – Stenastiftelsen (www.stenastiftelsen.se/en)
Crafoord Foundation – Crafoordska stiftelsen (www.crafoord.se/en)
Nordforsk (www.nordforsk.org)
An organisation under the Nordic Council of Ministers that finances and supports research cooperation and research infrastructures in Nordic countries.
Novo Nordisk Foundation (www.novonordiskfonden.dk/en)
A private foundation based in Denmark that also funds research in other Nordic countries.
The following are other three independent Swedish charitable fundraising foundations, and non-profit organisations that support research:
Swedish Cancer Society – Cancerfonden (www.cancerfonden.se/om-oss/about)
Swedish Heart Lung Foundation-Hjärt-Lungfond (www.hjart-lungfonden.se/om-oss/)
Swedish Brain Foundation – Hjärnfonden (www.hjarnfonden.se/om-hjarnfonden/about-hjarnfonden)