Swedish research foundation
Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation |
| Founded | 1917 |
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| Founder | Knut and Alice Wallenberg |
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| Focus | Grants to scientific research and education at Swedish universities, institutes and other academic units |
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| Location | |
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| Method | Grants |
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| Endowment | SEK m 39,035 (2012)[1] |
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| Website | kaw.wallenberg.org |
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Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW) (Swedish: Knut och Alice Wallenbergs Stiftelse) is a Swedish public and private foundation formed in 1917[2] by Knut Agathon Wallenberg and his wife Alice Wallenberg. It was created to support research in the natural sciences, technology and medicine by awarding long-term grants to basic research of the highest international class.
Governance
From its start in 1917 to 1971 the board members of the Foundation were mostly from the Wallenberg family.[3] In 1971 a Council of Principals was established which changed the membership pattern, and the academics began to serve as board members of the KAW.[3] Then politicians from the Centre Party were also assigned to the board, including Christina Rogestam, Anders Dahlgren, and Thorbjörn Fälldin.[3]
Funding
Since its establishment it has approved funding of just over SEK 27.2 billion to Swedish research and education. Almost SEK 14.5 billion of this was awarded between 2008 and 2018.[4] The funding allocated annually in recent years of almost SEK 2 billion has given the Foundation its position as one of the largest private research foundations in Europe.[5] Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation is the largest of the 16 foundations formed on the basis of donations from members of the Wallenberg family, or created with funds raised in honor of Wallenberg family members. The foundations are referred to collectively as the Wallenberg Foundations, and award grants totaling approximately SEK 2.2 billion each year.
