Vetenskapsrådet - Swedish Research Council

The Swedish Research Council is an authority within the Ministry of Education and Research. The Swedish Research Council has a leading role in developing Swedish research of the highest scientific quality, thereby contributing to the development of society.

Besides research funding, the agency advises the government on research-related issues and participates actively in the discussions to create understanding of the long-term benefits of research.

The Council's remit includes:

• allocating funds for research 
• identifying research areas for strategic investment in consultation with other research funding agencies
• working on analysis, assessment and strategic matters in connection with research and research funding from a national and international perspective
• promoting communication between researchers and different academic areas, and between researchers and society otherwise
• promoting multi- and interdisciplinary research
• making research results accessible and making sure they reach the areas of society where they can be useful, for example within education, healthcare and within trade and industry
• advising the government on research-political matters
• striving for increased national and international collaboration and benefit within the research community
• promoting gender perspectives in research
• having overarching responsibility for matters relating to ethical requirements in research
• working for equality between men and women in the research community
• increasing understanding of the importance of basic research to society