IVA's Annual Meeting Festivities

IVA strengthens its ranks with new Fellows

The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) has elected 39 new Fellows, comprising distinguished engineers, economists, researchers, entrepreneurs and leaders from both the private and public sectors. Each brings valuable expertise that will further reinforce the Academy’s work. Here is the full list of new Fellows.

2025 Hans Werthén Scholars

Ten young researchers and students residing in Sweden have been awarded this year's scholarships from the Hans Werthén Foundation, for studies and research abroad. The scholarships are granted with the aim of giving young academics the opportunity to develop in other countries and return with new knowledge and experience that can benefit Sweden.

IVA's President: Some thoughts on Government Agencies

As a Swedish citizen with a diverse background from Germany, the US, and China, I would like to highlight a feature of Sweden I admire: our efficient (and at times rather dry) government agencies. Having experienced bureaucracies in several countries, I can say that Swedish public administration stand out.

IVA’s Gold Medal 2025: Helena Hedblom

Throughout her career, Helena Hedblom has made a remarkable contribution to the mining industry and is today one of the most influential leaders in Swedish business. With a background in materials engineering, she has risen from Head of Research to CEO of Epiroc AB – reshaping Sweden’s mining sector.

IVA's President: Some thoughts on Drivers of Economic Growth

Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2025 was awarded to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt for their research on how new technology drives sustained economic growth. This is exciting research. I see the interaction between technological development and economic growth as a key issue for IVA. 

IVA’s Gold Medal 2025: Mats Danielsson

With a background from CERN and Berkeley, Mats Danielsson has successfully combined cutting-edge research with technical innovation and entrepreneurship. Today he is a leading researcher and entrepreneur in medical imaging, whose work has had a strong impact both nationally and internationally – in healthcare as well as in industry.

IVA’s Great Gold Medal 2025: Carl-Henric Svanberg

For decades, Carl-Henric Svanberg has stood at the helm of some of Sweden’s – and the world’s – most successful industrial companies. With a rare blend of technical insight, business acumen and strong communication, he has helped shape Assa Abloy, Ericsson, BP and Volvo into global market leaders.

IVA's President: Some thoughts on Academic Freedom

It is the time of year when our sister academy, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, announces the Nobel Prize winners, and as always, it is both inspiring and gratifying to see how the world turns its focus to science during Nobel Week. In an era when facts and science are being questioned at the highest levels, it feels perhaps more urgent than ever to celebrate science and the advances it brings to humanity.

IVA's President: some thoughts on Swedish Futures

In virtually every context, I hear the same questions: How can we secure our future prosperity in the face of global competition? How can Sweden defend its position as one of the world's most innovative and technologically advanced countries? In short: Where is the vision for Sweden? 

Report: Sweden's position in 48 strategically important technologies

In the report "Sweden’s Competitiveness and Investment Priorities" IVA presents a new, data-driven analysis that maps Sweden's position in 48 strategically important technologies – crucial to our future prosperity, economic resilience, and national security.

Global Outlook: Asia #3

The robotic future is nearly here, and East Asia stands at the forefront of this shift. East Asian firms innovating in this sector are backed in various ways by governments committed to competing for leadership in robotics.

IVA's President: Some thoughts on the Transatlantic Bond

Some believe the transatlantic link has been broken. I strongly disagree. Between people, the transatlantic bond is both deep and strong. The transatlantic community is socially and emotionally anchored in the lives of many people.

IVA's President: Some thoughts on a Swedish Minister for Technology

Arguably, a country’s administrative model need not have a large impact on outcomes, but in this critical time of global tech competition, perhaps a designated Committee or Minister for Technology could be of advantage for Sweden.

How to apply for a scholarship from the Hans Werthén Foundation

Each scholarship is for a year of scientific work at the postdoc or doctoral candidate level, or for MBA or LL.M studies in an advanced international setting. Current application period: 8 January to 8 March 2026.

IVA's President: Some thoughts on Sweden's position in AI

In 2026, the government will present a new AI strategy and has announced investments of SEK 479 million for AI and data. I hope this will help drive a serious upturn in Swedish AI investments in 2026.

IVA's List for Research Impact

We are now seeking candidates for IVA's List for Research Impact. The IVA List highlights current research projects within the field of engineering sciences, conducted at Swedish universities and research institutes, that show a clear ambition to be commercialised. The research should be ready to generate impact within the foreseeable future. The application period is open from 4 February to 20 February 2026.

Honorary Fellows

The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) can appoint someone who has, through their work or in other ways, significantly promoted the academy’s objectives as an honorary fellow. The appointment is proposed by IVA's Presidium.

Global Outlook: Asia #1

The launch of the DeepSeek R1 chatbot in early 2025 prompted a flurry of responses. In Asia, it touched off discussions about gaining ground against big tech and national AI strategies.

Joakim Nivre granted the Chester Carlson Research Award

Professor Joakim Nivre has been granted the Chester Carlson Research Award of 100,000 SEK for his innovative contributions to computational linguistics, his leadership in the research community, and his commitment to language technology through collaboration. The award has been granted since 1985 to promote scientific research in the field of information science.