How Formas is governed

Formas is a government agency led by a director general, who takes decisions on all matters relating to the administration of the agency. Formas’s Scientific Council is responsible for the research funding that we award. The Council for Evidence-Based Environmental Analysis determines which questions we should investigate in our systematic evidence syntheses.

The Scientific Council sets the focus and is responsible for the funding to be allocated in Formas’ open calls and targeted calls. Since the research that Formas funds is assessed on the basis of both quality and relevance, the Scientific Council consists of representatives from academia as well as other societal stakeholders. Since January 1, 2023, the Scientific Council delegates decisions on granting funds of up to SEK 10 million per project and year to Formas’ director general according to the Scientific Council's work and delegation rules.

Our specific mandate to conduct systematic evidence syntheses is governed by our own decision-making body, the Council for Evidence-Based Environmental Analysis.

Rules governing our work

Formas’ work is governed by both an ordinance containing terms of reference and two appropriation directions, one from the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise and one from the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Infrastructure.

Formas is host for the Climate Council

Formas is the host for the Swedish Climate Policy Council External link., a committee-led agency that evaluates how the government’s overall policy is compatible with the climate goals.

Updated:31 January 2023
Page manager: Elisabet Blomberg