SEK 10 million in strategic funding to MIRAI

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Katrine Riklund.

ImageMattias Pettersson

"MIRAI is partly funded by participating universities in Japan and Sweden, but in order for the project to have a good impact, we need to jointly seek additional external funding. The SEK 10 million from STINT is a result of the application in collaboration between universities. The award is very gratifying and this additional funding gives us even better opportunities in the collaboration between participating universities and between academia and external stakeholders in, for example, business and other authorities," says Katrine Riklund, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Umeå University.

The MIRAI research collaboration, which began in 2017, involves ten Swedish and seven Japanese universities. The name MIRAI, which means "future" in Japanese, reflects the project's goal of addressing major global societal challenges. Umeå University and Kyushu University were appointed as the new coordinating institutions for this third project period, which runs between 2024 and 2026.

Global Challenges

The four “Global Challenges Teams” will be addressed through to development of diverse teams, and it is that diversity that is expected to spark innovative solutions. These Global Challenges Teams will be assisted by three interdisciplinary support teams. They are closely connected with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Challenge 1: Health and an ageing population (Part of SDG 3)
• Challenge 2: Climate adaption, disaster and risk management and prevention (Part of SDG 13)
• Challenge 3: Resilient cities and communities – policies, strategies, local government and urban planning (Part of SDG 11)
• Challenge 4: Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage: renewable energy, solar energy conversion, electrification, sustainable processes and use of resources (Part of SDG 7)

Interdisciplinary teams

For each challenge, an interdisciplinary team of about ten researchers from Sweden and Japan has been established. Umeå University chairs the team addressing resilient cities and communiities, and has a seat on the team on health and an ageing population.

Working on the four selected global challenges is very meaningful and with the collective expertise MIRAI has, we will make a difference.

"It is a responsible task to collaborate with 17 universities, but together with our project coordinators and dedicated researchers, we look forward to three productive years. Working on the four selected global challenges is very meaningful and with the collective expertise MIRAI has, we will make a difference. Being involved and contributing to both the development of young researchers and working on the global challenges is valuable, says Katrine Riklund.

Mobility for young researchers

MIRAI has always had a strong focus on young researchers and providing them the opportunity to build their international networks. Now, STINT is earmarking five of the ten million kronor for mobility for PhD students and early-career researchers, allowing them to spend longer periods at partner universities in the two countries and have the opportunity to teach there.

MIRAI only project granted funding

Out of 17 applications received in STINT’s call, only MIRAI was granted funding. STINT’s motivation for the grant is the following:

“Overall, this is one of the best projects the panel saw. Noting that it builds on an established network, there is evidence of a clear vision for future development and some novelty in terms of delivery. A particular strength is the breadth of coverage – in terms of “challenges” and the numbers of institutions involved.”

The aim of STINT’s Strategic Grants for Internationalisation is to contribute to the renewal and development of university-wide internationalisation. The grant decision was announced on June 18, 2024.

Visit the MIRAI website