WASP–WISE NEST 2 Joint Call Now Open

WASP and WISE hereby announce the WASP–WISE 2026 call for NEST 2 (Novelty, Excellence, Synergy, and Teams) is open. The call supports joint research projects that span across the thematic profiles of both programs and aim to address strategic, high-priority research challenges with international impact and visibility.

A NEST project is expected to tackle a well-defined research challenge that requires the combined expertise of a multidisciplinary team of investigators. The added value of collaboration must be clearly demonstrated, in particular through close cooperation between WASP and WISE, as well as within each program. Scientific novelty, originality, sustainability aspects and potential impact are central evaluation criteria, alongside relevance to Swedish industry and/or society.

The total funding available in this call amounts to 100 MSEK, with a maximum of 50 MSEK from WASP and 50 MSEK from WISE. Funded projects are expected to have a duration of four to five years, and four to ten projects are anticipated to receive support.

The call closes on 21 May.

Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP) is Sweden’s largest individual research program and provides a platform for academic research and education, fostering interaction with Sweden’s leading companies and other actors. The program addresses research in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and software as enabling technologies for developing systems acting in collaboration with humans, adapting to their environment through sensors, information, and knowledge, and forming intelligent systems of systems. WASP strengthens, expands, and renews the national competence through strategic recruitments, a challenging research program, a national graduate school, and collaboration with industry and society. WASP aims at increasing gender balance and building a culture based on inclusion and diversity. The program is conducted in close cooperation between leading Swedish universities to promote the competence of Sweden as a nation within the area of AI, autonomous systems and software. 

Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE) is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and encompasses major efforts at Sweden’s leading universities over the course of (at least) 10 years. The aim is to create the conditions for a sustainable society by researching the next generation of ecofriendly materials and manufacturing processes. This will also facilitate better technology for energy systems of the future, and to combat climate change, pollution, and toxic emissions. Specifically, efforts will be devoted to identifying new or significantly improved materials, which provide a distinct advantage in physical, chemical, biological, or functional performance when compared to existing materials and technologies. This relates to materials that demand fewer resources, are less environmentally hazardous, and enable sound and efficient recycling processes. WISE will also explore materials that, when used in energy technology, generate less negative climate impact under operation, while offering high performance and efficiency when in action at large scales.