The funding call is open – here's how we work with research

Lantmännen Research Foundation supports research across three areas: agriculture and machinery, food and health, and bioenergy and green materials. The focus reflects the foundation's core purpose of advancing research on cereals, other agricultural raw materials, and the products made from them.

The three areas closely follow Lantmännen's own business, from the farm through to finished products like bread, specialty ingredients and bio-based fuel components. The foundation has been around for 40 years, and over that time it has developed a model that brings research, farming and industry together.

– We work with researchers on issues that matter over the long term, and we build knowledge that actually gets used. The information about the funding call goes into more detail about our current research priorities, says Helena.

The foundation is also in an strong position this year. Lantmännen recently added 300 million Swedish kronor to its funding base, giving the foundation greater reach and the ability to back research projects over a longer horizon.

We want you as a researcher to get in touch when you have an idea. Then we can be involved in reasoning about the structure of the application, contribute with knowledge about raw materials or find cultivation sites and experimental farms.

/ Helena Fredriksson

Forskningschef på stiftelsen

/ Helena Fredriksson

Forskningschef på stiftelsen

Three perspectives, every time

What sets the foundation apart from many research funders is how it evaluates applications. Each focus area has its own review panel of nine people: three researchers from external institutions, three farmers, and three specialists from Lantmännen. Together they assess each application on scientific quality, long-term value for the sector and commercial viability. The structure is intentional — all three perspectives have to be in the room.

Each panel member assesses applications independently before the group comes together to discuss. The foundation's board makes the final call in late November, and researchers hear back within about a week.

More than a funder

Helena Fredriksson is clear that the foundation sees itself as a partner, not just a source of grants.

– We want researchers to get in touch as soon as they have an idea. We can help shape the application, share what we know about raw materials, or connect you with growing sites and farms. That's what it means to be a real research partner, she says.

That relationship continues once a project gets the green light. The foundation stays involved, follows the work closely and genuinely cares about where it leads.

• Every project has a goal, but what happens along the way often matters just as much. Each project also feeds into the bigger picture across our R&D portfolio, says Helena.