Background
The Swedish Research Council bears national responsibility for developing the country’s basic research towards attainment of a strong international position.
The Council has three main tasks: research funding, science communication, and research policy. Research is the foundation for the development of knowledge in society, and the basis of high-quality education. Research is also crucial as a means of enhancing welfare through economic, social, and cultural development.
Researchers in Command
One essential principle is that research should be unrestricted and unaffiliated. Active researchers are therefore in a majority on the Council’s board, as in the Scientific Councils and the Committee for Educational Science, i.e. in all bodies where applications are assessed and evaluated, and grants decided upon. This guarantees the quality and diversity of basic research.
The Council’s Role
The Council bears national responsibility for developing Swedish basic research and science communication. It ranks and finances basic research of the highest scientific quality in all fields of science.
The Council’s Vision
The Council aims to serve as a cohesive force for Swedish basic research of world class.
Organization
Secretariat: Approximately 130 people in four departments: the Administration, Analysis and Strategy, Communications, and Program Departments.
Board of the Swedish Research Council: 13 members, including the chairman; no deputies.
Scientific Councils: 11 members including the chairman, and 10 deputies.
Committee for Educational Science: 11 members including the chairman; no deputies.
Science Forum: 13 members including the chairman; no deputies.
Swedish Basic Research to Reach World Class
The overall target for Swedish basic research is set high: to make Sweden a leading research nation. The Swedish Research Council bears national responsibility for developing the country’s basic research towards attainment of a strong international position. The Council has three main tasks: research funding, science communication and research policy.
Research has been divided into four fields: humanities and social sciences, medicine, natural and engineering sciences and educational science. For each of these, there is a Scientific Council. These Councils play a central part, and they promote and support basic research in their respective fields by distributing grants for various projects and research appointments.
Contact Information
Swedish Research Council
Postal address: SE-103 78 Stockholm, Sweden
Street address: Regegingsgatan 56
Telephone: +46-8-546 44 000
Fax: +46-8-546 44 180
Email: vetenskapsradet@vr.se
Web Address: http://www.vr.se/english
