The Knowledge Foundation
About us
What we do
We fund projects at Sweden's university colleges and newer universities, with the goal of building strong research and educational environments that create value for academia as well as business and society.
Who we are
The Knowledge Foundation has an office in the central Stockholm, Kungsträdgården. The office is divided into three units. The board is the highest decision-making body and consists of ten members including the chairman.
Get to know the Knowledge Foundation
In 1994, the Knowledge Foundation was one of several research foundations established using the capital from Sweden’s dismantled wage-earner funds.
Our mission from day one has been to fund research and competence development conducted in collaboration with business sector partners at Sweden’s university colleges and newer universities. When the Foundation was first set up, we were given the responsibility to promote information technology, but that purpose was deemed to have been fulfilled in 2016.
The Knowledge Foundation seeks to support the development of strong research and education environments that create value for academia, the business sector and society. We only provide funding when activities are conducted in partnership with the business sector , as Swedish competitiveness depends on collaboration between academia and companies.
Co-production
Collaboration with the business sector – which the Knowledge Foundation calls co-production – forms the basis of our operations and is inherent to the projects and research and educational environments that we fund. Basically, co-production means that the projects we fund must be designed and implemented in close collaboration between academia and the business sector, usually with co-funding from the business community equivalent to the funding received from the Foundation. It is academia and the business sector that jointly define areas and research questions that are both of academic interest and highly business relevant. The projects we fund therefore span a wide range of scientific areas and business sectors.
Research and competence development
The Knowledge Foundation currently offers eight programmes within which funding can be granted. Some are primarily focused on developing research, while others revolve around developing education at second or third cycle level. Specific calls for proposals may also be issued where necessary. Our calls for proposals are open for project proposals in all subjects and areas of activity. It is the aim of the Foundation that universities eligible for funding will use our programmes strategically to develop their operations in the long term and build strong research and educational environments that add value for academia, the business sector and society.
Analysis and evaluation
Preparation and assessmentThe Knowledge Foundation conducts analysis and evaluation to develop programmes and activities such that they produce the best possible impacts for the universities, the business sector, and the surrounding society. More specifically, this involves identifying what the activities can bring in terms of a company’s access to knowledge and skills, experienced collaboration between the business sector and academia, and scientific development. Our follow-up and evaluations also serve as a basis for disseminating knowledge.