Almost SEK 50 million to Mid Sweden University – Investing in AI, sensor technology and digitalisation

Thu 18 Dec 2025 15:24

Mid Sweden University is taking a big step as a regional knowledge engine. The STC research centre, together with its partners, has been granted almost SEK 50 million for five new research projects that will drive development in artificial intelligence, sensor technology and digitalisation.

Bildkollage med en bild av byggnader och en fasadskylt med texten Mittuniversitetet samt en porträttbild på en leende man. — Mattias O'Nils head of STC Research Center at Mid Sweden University.

"This is a clear acknowledgement that our research and collaboration are of high quality and create concrete benefits. Through these investments, we strengthen both the region's innovation power and the long-term supply of competence," says Mattias O'Nils, head of STC Research Center.

Cross-border AI collaboration

Two of the projects take place within the Interreg Sweden-Norway programme and build on an established collaboration between Mid Sweden University and NTNU in Trondheim. The focus is on advanced digitalization, AI and sensor technology – in close collaboration with companies on both sides of the border.

Extra power for ongoing projects

In addition to the new Interreg projects, three existing projects will receive reinforced funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the regions of Jämtland, Härjedalen and Västernorrland. This means more test and demonstration environments, increased business participation and investments in research infrastructure. Among other things, the AI lab will have the opportunity to grow with more industry-related research environments.

"Our vision is to build a completely new building where we gather all lab activities for advanced research, education and collaboration between academia, industry and the public sector - something that can become a regional node for the digital technology of the future," says Mattias O'Nils.

The projects that have been granted funding:

FUSMON – Sensor fusion for smarter health monitoring

Mid Sweden University, NTNU in Norway, together with the companies Coala Solutions and CATE medical Devices, will develop the next generation of technical solutions for health monitoring. The project, which is funded with support from the EU programme Interreg Sweden-Norway, will start in April 2026 and run for three years.

Project leader: Prof. Jan Lundgren

AIRI – Embedded AI for Resilient Infrastructure

Mid Sweden University, NTNU in Norway and the companies Nordic Semiconductor, Sensor Innovation and Starbit AB will develop the next generation of connected sensors for smart and energy-efficient condition monitoring of critical infrastructure such as railways. The project, which is funded with support from the EU programme Interreg Sweden-Norway, will start in April 2026 and run for three years.

Project leader: Dr. Irida Shallari

Electrovation – Innovative technology for the electrical energy systems of the future

Mid Sweden University is working together with Sundsvalls Elnät AB, Övik Energi AB and Sollefteå municipality to develop advanced solutions for electrification, energy storage and smart grids in Västernorrland. The project has been granted extra funding from the European Regional Development Fund and Region Västernorrland. The addition of funding means that the project's industrial PhD-students can complete their studies with a doctoral degree. The project started in September 2025 and will run until September 2029. Read more at Elektrovation

Project leader: Prof. Kent Bertilsson

DIGIT – Sustainable Digital Transformation

Since the autumn of 2023, Mid Sweden University has collaborated with, among others, Samling Näringsliv in Jämtland/Härjedalen and Bron Innovation in Västernorrland to increase knowledge about digital transformation. The project has now been granted funding for another three years, which makes it possible to hire another industrial doctoral student together with SCA Massa and continue with competence-enhancing initiatives for the region's companies. DIGIT is financed with support from the European Regional Development Fund, Region Jämtland/Härjedalen and Region Västernorrland. Read more at DIGIT

Project leader: Anna-Maria Selvehed

DigiLab – STC Digital Transformation Lab

During the autumn, Mid Sweden University received funding to establish a new AI lab at the university. Now the initiative has been granted additional funding, which makes it possible to expand the lab with more industry-related research environments at the forefront. The focus is, among other things, on the development of AI methods for future automation, 6G technology, autonomous vehicles and smart grids. Financed with the support of the European Regional Development Fund. Read more at DigiLab

Project leader: Prof. Mattias O'Nils