FOI will be leading or participating in 10 research programmes. In total Sweden has been allocated something in excess of SEK 100 million.

FOI, in competition with a number of leading research agencies, has again demonstrated the breadth of its competence in civil security research.  In its Seventh Research Framework Programme the EU has granted FOI funding for 10 research programmes amounting to almost SEK 48 million. FOI will be leading three projects and participating in seven others. In total Sweden has been allocated funding amounting to something in excess of SEK 100 million.

“The result is absolutely in line with my expectations,” says Madelene Sandström, FOI’s Director General. “We are a strong research organisation with many expert and highly competent scientists. So I am not surprised but extremely proud and delighted. In contrast, though, our dominant position in the field of civil security research may come as a surprise to many in Sweden.”

“Since 2004 we have been working actively to highlight our role in Swedish civil security research through our assignments and our strategy. This is now beginning to show results. The EU’s decision to finance this many projects as such a high proportion of Sweden’s total allocation can only be interpreted as hitting the mark,” adds Madelene Sandström.

FOI is best known as an agency carrying out research for the Armed Forces and other defence-related organisations both in Sweden and internationally. FOI also continues to have an important role to play here. Civil security research is important to the Armed Forces since it enables Sweden to maintain its competence in areas which a shrinking defence budget has made it difficult to finance adequately. Research projects are always undertaken in collaboration with industry and other research organisations. One important Swedish collaborative partner for FOI is SAAB. 

Some highly topical areas which receive EU funding include technology for detecting and locating the manufacture of home-made bombs, methods of detecting suspicious behaviour, for example in large gatherings, the aerial surveillance of surface craft, and studying and increasing our understanding of what affects people’s feelings of in(security).

“Research projects affect the whole of society,” says Madelene Sandström. With the EU-funded research and new knowledge behind us, we are well equipped to provide support to many more customers in the field of public security.  It is my hope that our success will provide a good basis for a more secure Sweden. FOI can no longer be seen as an agency solely for defence research but rather for research spanning the broad field of security as a whole. Prudent planning, which takes good care of Sweden’s collective competence in research, will ensure that Sweden remains in the forefront where defence and security, innovation and the future export of Swedish technology are concerned.

Contacts

Madelene Sandström, Director General, madelene.sandström@foi.se, +46 (0)8-555 030 01
Johan Axell, Director of Communication, johan.axell@foi.se, +46 (0)8-555 030 18, 070-277 0362