Sustainability has long been a clear priority for Lund University (LU). When the QS ranking last week placed the university first globally for sustainability, it reflected a coordinated effort across the institution, where education and world-leading research in climate, energy systems, sustainable production and consumption, biodiversity, oceans and sustainable cities have all played a vital role.
The Agenda 2030 Graduate School emphasises that this success is shared.
‘We are proud of our work and of the contributions made by our PhD candidates and alumni. At the Agenda 2030 Graduate School, we bring together perspectives and forms of knowledge that rarely meet. When we highlight early-career researchers through the Agenda 2030 Award, we do so in that same spirit. We want to show how sustainability research can take shape across many subject areas, through a wide range of scholarly approaches. This is one of the ways we contribute to LU’s strong sustainability environment, alongside many other actors at the university,’ says Markus Gunneflo, coordinator of the Agenda 2030 Graduate School.
Time to nominate for the Agenda 2030 Award
The Agenda 2030 Graduate School brings together PhD students from all faculties and offers interdisciplinary courses and activities that strengthen knowledge, curiosity and collaboration around sustainable development. One of these annual initiatives is the Agenda 2030 Award, which will be presented for the fifth time in spring 2026.
The award recognises an early-career Lund University researcher whose work contributes to the development of a more sustainable society. Researchers from all faculties are eligible, and the research may advance ecological, economic, social or cultural sustainable development. The 25,000 SEK prize is sponsored by the Duni Group and will be presented during Sustainability Week in Lund in April 2026. The winner will also be invited to present their research.
Information meeting about the award
Nominations are open to all Lund University staff and students. The Agenda 2030 Graduate School will host a digital information meeting on 12 December 2025 to provide guidance and answer questions about the award process.
The deadline for nominations is 16 January 2026.
You can find more information about the award and instructions on how to submit a nomination via the web pages below.
Lund University Agenda 2030 Award - Nominations open for 2026
Information session about the Lund University Agenda 2030 Award
Lund University ranked best in the world for sustainability - lu.se