Eight new world-class research environments to be funded

In the competence centers, universities, research institutes, companies and public organizations conduct research and education in close cooperation in areas that are important for Sweden's competitiveness.

In this way, new knowledge and new technologies will be developed, disseminated and used for new products, processes and services in business and other parts of society. The initiative will also contribute to making Sweden more attractive to knowledge-intensive companies and contribute to achieving the global sustainability goals in Agenda 2030.

- In order to address today's global challenges, we need to develop completely new solutions and research needs to benefit society. Research environments where universities and industry work closely together are therefore crucial, and long-term investments in centers of excellence are an important part of it, ”says Darja Isaksson, Director General for Vinnova.

Each competence center receives funding from Vinnova with between SEK 4 and 8 million per year for five years, a maximum of 36 million. In addition, the universities and the companies that participate contribute an equal amount as Vinnova.

The following new competence funding receive funding:

Center for Swedish batteries - an alliance for ultra-high functionality (SweBAL), Uppsala University
Research to create new types of lightweight, inexpensive, environmentally friendly and safe ultra-high energy storage batteries.
Project leader: Kristina Edström

Expertise center for the development of next generation NK cell-based immunotherapy against cancer diseases, Karolinska Institutet
Research and collaboration to develop, produce and implement next-generation NK cell-based immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer.
Project leader: Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren

2D material-based technology for industrial applications (2D-TECH), Chalmers University of Technology
A center for research on two-dimensional materials in application areas for Swedish industry: multifunctional composites, sustainable energy, electronics and new materials.
Project leader: Ermin Malic

Trustworthy Edge Computing Systems and Applications (TECoSA), Royal Institute of Technology
Research, innovation, education and industrial development in edge computing, which is computer power that is provided locally in relation to users and embedded systems, distributed towards the "edge" of internet / cloud solutions.
Project leader: Martin Törngren

Swedish Drug Delivery Center (SweDeliver), Uppsala University
Research to take a world-leading position, educate the next generation of researchers, build ecosystems for pharmaceutical scientific and industrial skills, and contribute to the development of new innovative drugs for diseases that are currently without treatment.
Project leader: Christel Bergström

Design for Circularity: Lignocellulose based Thermoplastics - Fib: Re, Chalmers University of Technology
Research and education to enable the transition from fossil to bio-based thermoplastics produced in a sustainable and circular manner.
Project leader: Anette Larsson

Additiv Tillverkning for Life Sciences, Uppsala University
Center for research, development and regulatory aspects of new techniques for 3D printing, for example: Complex structures for improved bioprocesses, more reproducible 3D tumor models and faster optimization of medication.
Project leader: Cecilia Persson

Digital Twin Cities, Chalmers University of Technology
The center develops the concept of digital twins for cities and lifts it beyond visualization. It is based on interdisciplinary research in architecture, technology, project management, data management and integration, mathematical modeling, simulation, visualization and optimization.
Project leader: Anders Logg

There are 13 competency centers that Vinnova finances in the past, including wireless communication and resource-efficient vehicles