KTH's research in brief
KTH's research activities span fundamental and applied research in natural sciences, engineering and architecture, as well as subjects such as history and philosophy. Conducted in close collaboration with society and industry, research at KTH contributes to new knowledge and technological development that deepens our understanding of the world, lays the foundation for sustainable and safe societal development, and improves people's quality of life and health.
Research funding
KTH's research is largely financed through external funding, which accounted for 62 per cent of KTH's revenue in 2025. The largest funders include the Swedish Research Council, the European Union, the Wallenberg Foundations, Vinnova and the Swedish Energy Agency.
List: Swedish foundations and research councils contributing to KTH's research
In 2025, KTH participated in 433 applications within the EU Framework Programme Horizon Europe and was awarded 33 new projects. These included three grants from the European Research Council, ERC, one of the EU's most prestigious research funding instruments which is awarded to individual researchers in international competition.
Research infrastructures at KTH
KTH's research environments are strengthened by extensive research infrastructures that give researchers access to specialist expertise and advanced equipment. Ideas and solutions are developed here in collaboration between researchers, industry and societal actors. KTH hosts infrastructures across a wide spectrum: from specialised laboratories to testbeds and national infrastructures. Many infrastructures are open to users from other universities, research institutes, public agencies and companies, contributing to knowledge exchange and resource efficiency.
Research infrastructures at KTH
Collaboration and partnerships
KTH has 15 long-term strategic partnerships with major global companies, the public sector and leading research institutes. The partnerships strengthen research and education and create better conditions for securing research funding, carrying out relevant student projects and sharing infrastructures. Alongside the strategic partnerships, there are approximately 26 research centres hosted by KTH and a further 12 in which KTH is a partner.
Centres at KTH
KTH's centres bring together researchers and external partners from industry and the public sector around shared research challenges. Through long-term collaboration, the centres contribute to knowledge development, innovation and faster societal impact of research results.
An important part of these activities is the research output and training of industrial doctoral students — doctoral students whose research training takes place within the framework of employment outside academia. In 2025, KTH had 219 industrial doctoral students.
World-class innovation support
KTH Innovation is ranked as one of Europe's leading innovation hubs and has helped launch over 500 spin-off companies. Researchers and students can receive support in developing and commercialising their ideas. The commercialisation projects supported by KTH Innovation generated a total of approximately SEK 82 million in external funding in 2025.
National strategic research areas
KTH holds the lead responsibility for five of Sweden's strategic research areas (SRAs): e-science, IT and mobile communication, transport research, production engineering, and molecular bioscience. The last area is conducted within the framework of SciLifeLab, where KTH is one of four host universities. Within each SRA, research groups from multiple disciplines come together around shared scientific questions, often in collaboration with other universities, research institutes and industry. Funding for the five areas which KTH leads totalled SEK 353 million in 2025.
National strategic research areas at KTH
Strategic research initiatives at KTH
Through its own strategic research initiatives, KTH concentrates efforts in areas of strategic importance and creates long-term conditions for outstanding research. The initiatives enable new collaborations and give researchers scope to develop and deepen shared research directions ahead of upcoming national and European calls for proposals.
In 2025, 14 such initiatives were under way, in areas including AI, new materials, electrical power, nuclear technology, life sciences and smart urban development. Each initiative is allocated SEK one to two million per year for up to five years.