The Swedish Research Council has identified Lund University as a key actor in the next generation of strategic research areas. The university is proposed to be included in six new national research environments.
"Lund University is building research for the future. The fact that the Swedish Research Council has identified us in six of eight new areas is clear proof that our research is of the highest calibre. We are now ready to continue driving national knowledge development forward," says Erik Renström, Vice-Chancellor of Lund University.
Lund University is broadly represented in the new initiatives, both in coordinating roles and as a participant. The applications involving Lund University that are recommended for funding concern quantum research, polar research, crisis preparedness and total defense, crime, education, and advanced materials.
Two are coordinated by Lund University: The application "Resilience in Crime Prevention (BRiC): In-depth professional knowledge on children's vulnerability, drug markets, and new technologies" and "Materials 4.0 Sweden: Lund-Chalmers Alliance for Advanced Semiconductors and Intelligent Materials". In the field of criminology, only one application was approved nationally, and the proposed funding amounts to 12.5 million Swedish kronor in 2027 and 25 million Swedish kronor in 2028.
"This group of researchers from Lund University, the University of Gothenburg, Linnaeus University, and Malmö University, together with practitioners, will be able to generate crucial knowledge for future crime prevention in Sweden. The grant gives us a fantastic and realistic opportunity to realize our visions," says Katarina Jacobsson, professor of social work at the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Within "Research on Advanced Materials," two applications were approved, and the one coordinated by Lund University, in collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology, is proposed to receive 7.4 million kronor in 2027 and 15.1 million kronor in 2028.
"This offers fantastic opportunities for future semiconductor development. It's especially exciting that we're connecting with MAX IV much more clearly than before through advanced characterization of new materials. This creates international opportunities," says Lars-Erik Wernersson, professor of nanoelectronics at LTH.
Lund University is recommended to receive six out of 16 possible grants
In total, the Swedish Research Council recommends that 16 research environments receive funding - the government will make the final decision. The funds, totaling 200 million kronor in 2027 and 400 million kronor in 2028, will be allocated as earmarked portions of the universities' research grants.
"This is a very important initiative for Sweden and Swedish research. The overarching areas the government identified in the bill are those where Swedish research has great potential to make an impact," says Katarina Bjelke, Director General of the Swedish Research Council, in a press release from the Swedish Research Council.
The first generation of strategic research areas was established in 2009 as a long-term initiative to stimulate new knowledge development and foster excellent research environments. Lund University has long been the institution with the broadest involvement in the strategic research areas. In total, the university is involved in 11 of the 20 existing strategic research areas (SRAs), eight of which are coordinated by the university.
If the Swedish Research Council's recommendation is implemented, an additional six will be added to the list, and Lund University will coordinate or participate in 17 of 36 national research environments.
