Forskningsprofiler

Important dates

  • Opening date: 17 September 2024
  • Deadline for notices of interest: 15 October 2025
  • Deadline for applications: 3 February 2025, at 15:00
  • Funding decisions: May 2025
  • Project start: Earliest August 2025, latest December 2025

In the Forskningsprofiler programme, universities together with business partners develop and strengthen an internationally competitive research profile. 

Programme summary

  • For well-established research and education environments that have come a long way in their development and have clear ambitions for the future
  • Should strengthen the national and international position of the research environment in line with the institution’s profile
  • A coherent research agenda within a business-relevant research domain
  • The research agenda is designed and implemented in co-production with business partners
  • Maximum funding amount: SEK 40 million
  • Maximum project duration: 8 years
  • Budget framework: The preliminary financial scope for the 2024 call for proposals is SEK 80 million, excluding OH.

Background of the programme

The Forskningsprofiler programme is a strategic initiative aimed at supporting the profiling of higher education institutions and research environments. The programme targets institutions with well-established research and education environments that have clear ambitions for the future. It should involve well-coordinated environments with a strong scientific foundation and a high capacity for collaboration with the business sector.

The Knowledge Foundation’s support of up to SEK 40 million over eight years, combined with co-funding from business partners, creates significant resources for driving the cohesive development of a business-relevant research area. A profile initiative should, during the project period, be strengthened by additional efforts from various funders, ensuring sustainability even after the Foundation’s funding has ended.

The programme’s contribution to strong research and educational environments

The Forskningsprofiler programme offers an opportunity for long-term profiling of research within the framework of a overarching research agenda. The profile also enables the environment to deepen and expand its collaboration with business partners in shared fields of research with high business relevance. The project duration of up to eight years facilitates the recruitment of new competence and the alignment of the chosen research domain with related degree programmes.