The grants for an Industrial PhD 2026 are…
SSF’s annual initiative supporting industrial PhD students is vital for the development of Swedish industry, the business sector, and academia. These doctoral students act as a bridge between the different sectors, and the collaboration leads to improved research and increased innovation. The grants fund research and doctoral training for an industrial PhD student, with the aim of achieving a doctoral degree (PhD). SSF is funding 12 projects, each receiving SEK 3.25 million.
This year’s industrial PhD projects include:
- improving mRNA delivery to diseased tissues in cases of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Once delivered, the mRNA instructs cells to produce the specific protein needed for a therapeutic process
- using the gene editing tool CRISPR to regulate flowering time and adapt key Swedish cereal crops, such as barley, wheat and oats, to a warmer climate
- investigating how hull and deck designs can be improved, both for new vessels and to retrofit existing fuel-powered ships, through the use of wind assistance and wind propulsion.
The projects awarded funding for 2026 are:
|
Applicant |
Project |
Company |
University |
|
Jan Bjersing |
mRNA Therapies for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease |
AstraZeneca |
GU |
|
Cicek Cavdar |
Interference-Resilient Multi-Orbit Satellite Communications |
Ovzon AB |
KTH |
|
Peiyuan Chen |
Protection of Converter-Dominated Distribution Grid |
ABB |
Chalmers |
|
Seraina A Dual |
Advanced technology for safe mobilization in intensive car |
Getinge (Maquet Critical Care AB) |
KTH |
|
James Gross |
Generative AI for Multi-Modal 6G Network Digital Twins |
Ericsson AB |
KTH |
|
Morten Grøtli |
A PROTAC Platform for Targeting Metabolic Enzymes |
AstraZeneca |
GU |
|
Mats Hansson |
NGTs for Improvement of Cereal Crops in Sweden |
Lantmännen |
LU |
|
Philipp Kaldis |
Regulation of TGFβ-fibrosis pathway in fatty liver disease |
Nordic Bioscience, Herlev, Denmark |
LU |
|
Jakob Kuttenkeuler |
Hull shape design for wind assisted vessels |
Wallenius Marine AB |
KTH |
|
Marcus Larsson |
Microcirculatory pulsewave analysis for vascular diagnostics |
Perimed AB |
LiU |
|
Amy Loutfi |
Embodied Learning of Terrain Affordances for Intelligent UGV |
SAAB Group AB |
OrU |
|
Daniel Topgaard |
Drug release from lipid depots |
Camurus |
LU |
The purpose of the program is to contribute to excellent research within the fields funded by the SSF: natural sciences, engineering, and medicine. The research aims to foster cross-pollination between academia and industry, and to contribute to the training of doctoral students in areas that are strategically relevant and strengthen Sweden’s competitiveness.
For further information, please contact:
Research Secretary Gergana Hamberg, gergana.hamberg@strategiska.se, 08 – 505 816 76
Program Manager Joakim Amorim, joakim.amorim@strategiska.se, 08-505 816 65