National graduate school in bioeconomy
Formas funds a national, interdisciplinary graduate school in bioeconomy to train PhD students in partnership with Swedish academia and industry, advancing research for a sustainable bio-based future.
Funder: Formas
Due Dates: October 21, 2026 (Funding decision) | Application deadline not explicitly stated—see program page for updates
Funding Amounts: SEK 116,000,000 total for 5 years; only one consortium will be funded
Summary: Supports a national, interdisciplinary graduate school in bioeconomy led by a consortium of Swedish universities/research institutes with strong academia-industry collaboration.
Key Information: Only consortia of 4–6 Swedish universities, university colleges, or research institutes are eligible; industry co-financing and engagement required.
Description
This funding opportunity from Formas aims to establish and implement a ten-year national graduate school in bioeconomy, with funding provided for the first five-year phase (2026–2030). The initiative is intended to build a coordinated, interdisciplinary doctoral education environment that strengthens Sweden’s bioeconomy and supports the green transition. The graduate school will foster collaboration between academia and industry, supporting PhD projects that address business-relevant and cross-sectoral challenges in sectors such as forestry, agriculture, food, chemistry, textiles, and the blue bioeconomy.
The graduate school will be managed by a consortium of 4–6 Swedish universities, university colleges, or research institutes, working closely with industry partners who are expected to co-finance through industrial PhD students, mentorship, and participation in course delivery. The aim is to increase the supply of highly qualified experts in bioeconomy and to create long-term structures for doctoral education that bridge institutional and disciplinary boundaries.
