Transport Research and Innovation Portal

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Background


Government establishes the objectives, directions and priorities of research policy are established for a four-year period in a special Government Bill. The latest research policy A Boost to Research and Innovation for the period 2008–2012 has three strategic areas:

  • Medicine
  • Technology
  • Climate.

Another policy document relevant to all research is the Budget Bill 2012, which establishes the public funding available for the research in the specified period.

Several documents lay a foundation for transport research and set the framework for transport infrastructure and policy development in Sweden:

  • Multimodal Strategy and Action Plan for the Use of Intelligent Transport Systems up to 2015
  • National Plan for Sweden’s Transport System for 2010–2021
  • Strategy on Sustainable Development of the Baltic Sea, 2010–2015.

Institutional framework of transport research


At the highest political level, research policy is decided by the Parliament, acting on bills prepared by the government and in particular by three ministries: the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications. The Parliament and ministries are advised by the Research Policy Council (in the Ministry of Education, Research and Culture), the Innovation Policy Council (in the Ministry of Industry, Employment and Communication) and by the Growth Analysis.

Two other authorities play an important role in policy-making. One is VINNOVA, a State authority promoting growth and prosperity throughout Sweden with responsibility for innovations linked to research and development. The other is the Swedish Research Council with a strategic role advising the Government on research policy, and providing funding, and working on strategy, analysis, and research communication.

The Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications has the main responsibility for developing transport policy which is implemented by specific agencies: the Board for Shipping Support, the Swedish Transport Administration, the Swedish Transport Agency, the National Public Transport Agency, and Transport Analysis.

There are several options for funding transport research in Sweden. The main agency providing financial support for R&D is the Swedish Research Council, funded by the Ministry of Education and Research. Furthermore, there are several thematic funds and national semi-public foundations, providing financial support for research on specific topics. These are:

  • Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Science, which is responsible for funding research on welfare, labour market, health and social services;
  • Swedish Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning which supports research on ecological, conservation, natural resources-related and construction issues;
  • Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, which supports research in science and engineering;
  • Knowledge Foundation, which promotes research carried out at newly established universities, primarily in cooperation with industry;
  • Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, an independent foundation to promote and support research in the Humanities and Social Sciences;
  • Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education with the mandate to internationalise Swedish higher education and research;
  • Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research supporting research of strategic importance for a good living environment.

Organisations responsible for the institutional framework and funding:


Funding Sources and Support Initiatives


There are several thematic programmes, which are funding research on transport related topics. For more detailed descriptions, please follow the links below.


Last update: 17/05/2013 | Top
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