At the beginning of the year, the foundation was supplemented by an investment board and a scientific board.
The Investment Board has the task of periodically reviewing the Foundation’s investments and proposing changes, as well as continuously acting as advisory board for the Foundation’s operationally responsible financial manager, Ola Johannesson. In the past year, the risk level has decreased due to the divestment of parts of the holdings in H&M and Volvo, which were obtained at the foundation’s formation.
During the year, the Scientific Board consisted of eight cancer researchers representing different specialties, with the task of:
- Provide advice and suggestions to the Board regarding areas for research support within the Foundation’s area of operation,
- evaluate grant applications and, if necessary, appoint external experts and
- propose to the Board of Directors on research projects to evaluate and distribute funding for individual projects.
During the year, some 60 project proposals were received from the medical faculties. Of these, 20 were selected for full grant applications, of which 11 after evaluation, grants totaling SEK 50.2 million were awarded. Details can be found in the tab “Grants”.
The 2017 network project, Partnership for Precision Medicine in Cancer, started during the year, mainly developed according to plans.
The Royal Academy of Sciences, like last year, appointed award winners who were awarded the Sjöberg Prize. Details can be found in the tab “The Sjöberg Prize”.
The profit for the year amounted to SEK 72,088,958. The foundation’s wealth at year-end amounted to SEK 2,249,200,933.
The Board has remained unchanged during the year and consisted of Ingemar Sjöberg, Chairman, Joachim Sjöberg, Michelle Sjöberg, Göran K. Hansson, Sofia Holmström, Ola Johannesson, sec. and Bengt Westermark.
During the year, the Board held seven recorded meetings in addition to informal contacts. The foundation has not had any staff.