This Friday, the Göran Gustafsson Foundation hosts its annual prize ceremony, an event I’m proud to attend. These prizes, awarded to outstanding young researchers (under 37) from KTH and Uppsala University, are among Sweden’s most respected recognitions of early-career scientific achievement.

What sets the Göran Gustafsson Foundation apart is not just its financial support, but the vision behind it. Göran Gustafsson (1919–2003), a self-made entrepreneur from humble beginnings in northern Sweden, created two major research foundations to give back to society and advance knowledge that improves people’s lives and the world around them. From cutting birchwood at age twelve with a small loan backed by his mother, to building one of Sweden’s largest real estate portfolios, Gustafsson never lost sight of his belief that individuals have a responsibility to care for their environment and make thoughtful, lasting contributions.

Since its founding in 1986 with a SEK 135 million donation to KTH and Uppsala University, followed by SEK 270 million in 1989 for national prizes,  the Göran Gustafsson Foundation has supported hundreds of scientists in physics, chemistry, molecular biology, mathematics, and medicine. This year, SEK 21.25 million will be distributed through the KTH and Uppsala prizes. Beyond the monetary support, these prizes represent a strong vote of confidence and an invitation for young researchers to pursue bold, ambitious work. More information about this year’s prize recipients and their research is available on their website.

But why should this matter beyond the individuals receiving the awards?

Because the larger system is under strain. Across Sweden and Europe, young researchers face fierce competition for shrinking public funds, often tied to narrow, short-term targets. Time for creative exploration is becoming scarce, while administrative demands grow. Without support mechanisms like the Göran Gustafsson Foundation, or nationally, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, which has invested over SEK 47 billion in Swedish research, many promising talents risk being lost before they can reach their full potential.

This prompts a larger question: Are we doing enough to secure the future of Swedish science? Because research is not only about solving today’s problems, it’s about asking tomorrow’s questions. Are we giving young researchers the freedom, resources, and stability they need to focus on what matters, asking hard questions, exploring new paths, and laying the groundwork for future breakthroughs?

In this context, it’s worth noting how Sweden’s philanthropic landscape compares internationally, and how it has evolved. Earlier European-wide data (Fondation de France, 2015) reported that Swedish foundations contributed about 14% of the national research budget, with nearly half of their philanthropic budgets going specifically to science and higher education. More recent data (OECD, 2023) shows that foundations and non-profits now provide around 26.9% of the research grant income to Swedish universities, while government agencies contribute about 47.6% and EU sources about 9.9%. This marks a notable growth in the role of private foundations over the past decade, reflecting how Swedish philanthropy has become an increasingly important complement to public funding.

The Göran Gustafsson Foundation’s long-term commitment has made a meaningful difference to Swedish science, especially for young researchers. At the same time, the future of research cannot rest on philanthropy alone. If Sweden wants to stay a strong research nation, we must keep considering how to offer young researchers not only funding, but also the time, space, and trust they need to do meaningful work.