Launch of scholarships for degree projects with environmental focus
Ten degree projects have received environmental scholarships in a new initiative at Uppsala University in collaboration with Engineers of Sweden. Students Negar Gohari and Linus Finn Lassen from the Faculty of Science and Technology are two of the recipients.
Before the end of the year, Engineers of Sweden (Sveriges Ingenjörer) Environmental Scholarships were awarded for the first time at Uppsala University. The scholarships support ten degree projects at the Faculty of Science and Technology that stand out for their strong environmental focus.
The inaugural call for applications in autumn 2025 attracted 28 submissions from students enrolled in engineering programmes and international master’s programmes at the Faculty of Science and Technology. Of these, ten degree projects have now been selected to receive an environmental scholarship of SEK 50,000 each.
The scholarships are made possible through a collaboration between the Faculty of Science and Technology and Engineers of Sweden, and are aimed at students undertaking degree projects with a clear link to environmental and sustainable development.
"We are delighted to offer our students this opportunity. The strong interest in the first round shows that many students want to contribute new solutions to pressing environmental challenges," says Sofia Stenler, Senior faculty administrator at the Office for Science and Technology.
Applications reflected a wide range of project themes, including sustainable energy, circular economy, advanced materials, AI-driven solutions, and ecosystem monitoring.
From thin-film technology to environmental DNA
"Many applications presented exciting approaches to current environmental challenges in industry and society. The selected students demonstrated scientific excellence and clear plans for carrying out their projects. What also stood out was that they had already connected their projects to relevant stakeholders," says Benjamin Hafiz at UU Innovation, who was part of the selection committee.
One of the scholarship recipients is Negar Gohari, a student in the Master’s Programme in Materials Engineering. Her project will focus on thin-film technology aimed at increasing the lifespan of cutting tools for metalworking, in collaboration with Sandvik Coromant.
Another recipient is Linus Finn Lassen, who is studying Applied Biotechnology. His project aims to optimise environmental DNA (eDNA) detection to safeguard life-sustaining ecosystems.
"I look forward to developing new methods for eDNA that make it easier to monitor biodiversity. Doing this together with a research group at the forefront of the field feels truly inspiring," says Linus Finn Lassen.
From idea to innovation
The scholarship recipients will carry out their degree projects during the spring semester of 2026. At the same time, they will be offered a workshop series on innovation development and project management, organised by UU Innovation.
"The environmental scholarship gives students the chance to develop and test new solutions that can make a real difference for the environment and climate. By supporting them, we hope to increase the likelihood that their ideas will eventually become reality," says Benjamin Hafiz.
At the end of the semester, the projects will be presented to a wider audience, offering an opportunity to learn more about the ideas from this group of scholarship recipients.
"It will be exciting to follow the students as they carry out projects that clearly have great potential," says Benjamin Hafiz.
Sara Gredemark
Engineers of Sweden environmental scholarships at Uppsala University
- The scholarship is intended for degree projects with a clear link to climate action and environmental challenges.
- Open to students enrolled in engineering or master’s programmes at the Faculty of Science and Technology.
- Each scholarship amounts to SEK 50,000.
- The scholarships are awarded by the Environmental Fund (Miljöfonden) at Engineers of Sweden and supported by Swedbank Humanfond.