Three of the nine Distinguished Professors found in Uppsala

The purpose of the Swedish Research Council's newly launched program is to enable the best scientists in the country to concentrate on their research. They are given the opportunity to plan long term and take risks – and achieve groundbreaking research results.

The amount is SEK 5 million each per year over ten years and has now been distributed to nine Swedish professors. Three of these hold a position at Uppsala University, making the university the country’s most successful in this unique effort. The three professors are materials physicist Olle Eriksson, genome scientist Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, and evolutionary biologist Hans Ellegren.

‘This is very good news, and means that we can bet boldly and with an open mind. This grant holds a value beyond the financial, in that it constitutes recognition and provides a sort of scientific legitimacy’, says Hans Ellegren.

The applications have been assessed in a two-step procedure. In the first step by council members and external peer reviewers; in the second by The Free Research Council in Denmark. Based on recommendations from The Free Research Council, the Swedish Research Council's Director General has decided to award nine researchers.

The total number of applicants was 301, showing a low rate of approval around three per cent. The grant within the program will be advertised every two years and thus contribute to an effort including scientists at Swedish universities considered to have the highest qualifications.