Excellence Clusters for Groundbreaking Technologies

A flagship initiative co-funded by VR and Vinnova (Sweden's innovation agency) to establish internationally leading research clusters in groundbreaking technologies, with particular priority on fundamental artificial intelligence in 2026. Awards of 40–100M SEK per year for an initial 5-year period, with the possibility of a further 5-year extension following review. Expected to fund 5–15 clusters nationally. Applicants must be Swedish higher education institutions (organisation-level applicants only — not individual researchers). The project leader must hold a doctoral degree and be employed by the applying institution. Teams require 5–15 participating researchers.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.