Strategy - Mistra towards 2020
Mistra’s purpose
The purpose of Mistra is to fund research of strategic importance for a good living environment.The Foundation is to promote the development of strong research environments of the highest international class and of importance for Sweden´s future competitiveness. The research supported should be of significance in finding solutions to important environmental problems and promoting the sustainable development of society. Full use is to be made of opportunities to achieve industrial applications.
Mistra’s role
Mistra forms part of Sweden´s system of innovation for an environmentally sound society and globally sustainable development. The Foundation invests in strong research groups which, working alongside users, are able to contribute to solving major environmental problems. The users of the research which it supports are to be found both in industry and in public administration, policy-making and non-governmental organizations. Mistra plans to disburse annual funding of the order of SEK 200 million (in real terms at 2003 prices). It is consequently expected to be able to remain in operation until around the year 2020.Vision for 2020
By 2020, Mistra will have had a clear impact:- Important environmental problems will be solved by means of research collaboration between the higher education sector and Swedish industry, public administration, policymakers and non-governmental organizations.
- Sweden will have several internationally competitive, cross-boundary research environments, working in dialogue with users to bring about a sustainable society.
- The competitiveness of Swedish industry will have been enhanced as a result of a number of new, environmentally sound products and services securing significant market share.
Goals on the way to our vision: Mistra in 2008
Strong research environments that also create value for users- Environmentally sustainable business development: Mistra-funded research will promote Sweden´s competitiveness in the sectors of industry of greatest significance for achieving sustainable development of society.
- International undertakings: Mistra-funded research will enhance the prospects of securing far-reaching agreements under multilateral conventions and other agreements of importance to Sweden and of significance for sustainable development.
- Ecosystem management: Mistra-funded research will develop social and natural science theory and practice relevant to the management of vulnerable ecosystems and biological natural resources of importance to Sweden.
- Environment and society: Mistra-funded social science research will promote a deeper understanding of the role and significance of environmental issues in the development of society.
Asset management in support of sustainable development
- Mistra´s approach to asset management will serve as a model for efforts to secure sustainable development.
- Assets will be managed with the aim of being able to provide research funding of SEK 200 million per year (in real terms at 2003 prices) until 2020 at least.
Active communication
- Researchers and users will have a clear picture of what Mistra represents and what role it plays in the Swedish system of innovation for sustainable development.
Mistra’s strategy up to 2008
Strong research environments that create value for users- Mistra will ensure that potential users in industry, public administration, policymaking and non-governmental organizations participate alongside researchers in the programmes it supports.
- Mistra will give priority to the following areas, which are of both Swedish and global significance:
- A reduced human influence on climate. - A non-toxic environment. - Zero eutrophication, with a focus on the marine environment. - Sustainable use of renewable natural resources. - Sustainable urban development.- Mistra will participate in the system of innovation to promote technology of particular significance for sustainable development and for Sweden´s future competitiveness.
- Mistra will primarily invest in large-scale, integrated and cross-boundary research initiatives.
- When assessing research proposals, Mistra will attach as much weight to value for users as to scientific quality.
- Mistra initiatives will be flexible in both design and scale and will always be led by programme boards appointed at an early stage and consisting predominantly of potential users.
- Mistra will also be prepared to fund foreign research groups as a contribution to strengthening Swedish research environments.
- As a complement to major commitments of resources, there will be a limited number of smaller ones, designed to stimulate new ideas and high-risk projects.
- Around two-thirds of funding will normally be provided in the framework of themes that are actively announced by Mistra following consultation with researchers and users. Proposals within the themes announced will be selected on the basis of competition between research groups. Roughly one-third of funding will be initiated by researchers or users in the areas given priority by Mistra.
- Mistra will give special support to young postdoctoral researchers wishing to engage in work of a cross-boundary nature and researchers wishing to develop their capacity to lead cross-boundary research programmes.
- Mistra will seek to promote a balanced membership of programme boards and programme management teams.
Asset management in support of sustainable development
- Mistra will involve itself in national and international efforts to develop asset management approaches that promote sustainable development.
Active communication
- Mistra will work in an active and targeted manner to communicate and disseminate information about its research initiatives, the management of its assets, and its purpose.
Review of progress
- Performance in relation to this strategy will be reviewed annually in conjunction with Mistra´s annual report.
