The Swedish Defence University proposed to participate in new strategic research area on crisis preparedness and total defence

The Swedish Research Council recommends that the Government recommend that Uppsala University, together with the Swedish Defence University and Lund University, receive funding to build up research at the highest international level in the long term in the new strategic research area on crisis preparedness and total defence.

This week, the Swedish Research Council submitted its recommendation to the government on new strategic research areas (SFO). A total of 49 applications were received, and 16 research environments are now proposed to receive support. Crisis preparedness and total defence will go to research environments at Uppsala University together with Lund University and the Swedish Defence University, as well as two other environments.

Research collaboration that strengthens capabilities

"This is an important investment to strengthen research on total defence. Through the collaboration, we can contribute knowledge that provides a better basis for decisions and development, and that strengthens Sweden's ability to handle crises and ultimately war," says Robert Egnell, Vice-Chancellor of the Swedish Defence University.

SFO Crisis Preparedness and Total Defence will study how collaboration can be organised and developed to strengthen total defence.

"This is a very positive announcement that gives us unique opportunities to work with Uppsala University and Lund University to create better conditions for developing knowledge about crisis preparedness and total defence. These are issues that require both a long-term perspective and broad expertise," says Pär Daleus, senior lecturer in leadership and management, who has led the work on the application from the Swedish Defence University.

The proposed research area comprises SEK 8 million for 2027 and SEK 15.7 million for 2028.

The final decision on funding is made by the government, which also allocates the funds as earmarked portions of the higher education institutions’ research grants.

For the past 16 years, the Swedish Defence University has been part of another after-school club, the Centre for Natural Disaster Studies (CNDS), together with Karlstad University and Uppsala University.

SFO will provide long-term strong research environments

The strategic research areas are a government initiative to build strong and long-term research environments in areas that are particularly important to society, including security and preparedness.

The Swedish Research Council's news about the proposed allocation of strategic research areas.