New standardized data model makes it easier to access data from government research funders

The project is a government assignment where Vinnova, Forte, Formas, the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish Energy Agency have agreed on a common data model and standards for exposing data about their project, applications and calls for proposals to the public. The project builds on previous similar initiatives in the area of data sharing from the financiers.

The work has resulted in an API that shares data according to the first version of the standard that is now available on our website. Ett API is a programming interface that can be processed and, for example, used to build apps or web services.

- We have long offered open data about our funding at Vinnova, but now we offer a new standardized way to share data together with other authorities, says Peter Eriksson, who is Vinnova's representative in the steering group for the development of the data standard.

And continues:

- For example, it is possible to get detailed information about funding to organizations that collaborate around a funded activity, and how activities contribute to various sustainability goals.

Being able to take part in standardized data is in demand

Educational institutions, public activities, private companies and other actors benefit greatly from standardized data. For the Government Office, it enables more efficient follow-up of funding and better analyses.

The project's reference group has included, among other things, representatives from several universities, institutes and authorities such as Kungliga Tekniska the university college, KTH and the Statistics Authority, Statistics Sweden.

"We can better plan how we seek funding and get the opportunity to do deeper analyzes around participation in FoI project. Thanks to the API, we have better conditions for automation and digitalisation of our internal processes, says a representative from KTH.

"We can collect data directly from the financiers instead of sending out surveys," says a representative from Statistics Sweden.

Vinnova's existing APIs will remain for some time.

Our APIs