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2 April 2026
Major investments in polar research and total defence
Luleå University of Technology is a partner in two strategic research areas that the Swedish Research Council has recommended for funding by the Government: polar research, and crisis preparedness and total defence.
The initiative in strategic research areas aims to strengthen the profiling of Swedish research and ensure its continued international competitiveness. The funds are intended to enable higher education institutions to build up research at the highest international level over a long-term bass.
“The partnerships now taking shape within the strategic research areas are important for the future. Both polar research and total defence are important fields for the university and for Sweden, and I look forward to following the projects and the societal benefits they will generate,” says Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn, Vice-Chancellor of Luleå University of Technology.
Polar research
Within the strategic research area of polar research, Luleå University of Technology is participating in the “Swedish Centre for Integrative Polar Research (SCIPolar)”. The project is led by Stockholm University, with participating HEIs including Umeå University, Luleå University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Lund University. Proposed funding: SEK 22 000 000 for 2027 and SEK 44 500 000 for 2028. Dag Avango, Professor of History, leads Luleå University of Technology’s participation in the project.
Crisis preparedness and total defence
Within the strategic research area of crisis preparedness and total defence, Luleå University of Technology is participating in “Total defense in the High North: Building resilient societies under hybrid threat”. The project is led by Umeå University, with participating HEIs including Luleå University of Technology and Mid Sweden University. Proposed funding: SEK 8 000 000 for 2027 and SEK 15 667 000 for 2028. Christine Große, Associate Professor of Information Systems, leads Luleå University of Technology’s participation in the project.
The Government will make the final decisions on funding based on the recommendations submitted by the Swedish Research Council. The funds will be allocated as earmarked components of research funding.
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