Effort on clusters for world-leading research and innovation in cutting-edge technology

What is a cluster of excellence?

A cluster of excellence should have a bold vision in new, groundbreaking areas of technology, take a significant position, strengthen Swedish business and, in the long term, contribute to making Sweden competitive, resilient and sustainable. The government's idea is that a cluster of excellence should be a dynamic environment with international connectivity where researchers and companies collaborate to drive world-leading knowledge development and transform research results into practical applications and competitive innovations. In the clusters, government funds can create a leverage effect together with other investments in research and innovation.

Visions as the first step

- Vinnova welcomes actors who want and can realize a scientific vision that leads to groundbreaking, competitive innovation, to formulate your vision for a cluster of excellence, mobilize the right actors and develop the plan to realize the vision, says Cecilia Sjöberg, director and head of division at Vinnova.

What should a world-leading excellent cluster for research and innovation consist of? How can you attract the very best the actors to the cluster? How do you need to lead and what steps do you need to take to realize the vision? These are important questions to answer.

Visions become important basis

The focus on clusters of excellence will be implemented in several stages, the next stage will open in 2026. Then the call for proposals for funding to establish a number of clusters of excellence will open. It is possible to participate in future efforts even if you do not apply for this call for proposals.

- The visions submitted in the first stage will be important basis for the design of the continued effort, says Cecilia Sjöberg.

- We are very curious about the interest in the venture. It will be interesting to hear what the actors think is important for success. We hope for many brave and well-thought-out visions.

Joint Programme Office

The Swedish Research Council and Vinnova are also tasked with creating a joint program office for the initiative on clusters of excellence. The office will work to coordinate and evaluation the initiatives, promote synergies, and support the initiative's high ambitions to create bold world-leading environments.

Background

This initiative is based on an announced assignment in the government's research and innovation bill, which Vinnova and the Swedish Research Council are expected to receive shortly. In it, the government proposes that Vinnova and the Swedish Research Council invest in clusters of excellence for groundbreaking technologies. The initiative focuses on groundbreaking technologies that have potential to have major positive effects on competitiveness, social development and prosperity. The government has allocated SEK 2.5 billion for the initiative during 2025−2028. Vinnova has SEK 1 billion at its disposal, and the Swedish Research Council has SEK 1.5 billion at its disposal.