FF2026_27 · European Researchers' Night in Sweden 2026_2027: ForskarFredag 2026_2027

ForskarFredag (Researchers’ Friday) is Sweden’s most widely dispersed science festival, coordinated by the non-profit association VA (Public & Science). ForskarFredag 2026 and 2027 (FF2026_27) will feature inspiring and interactive events in 28 cities across Sweden, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026.The festival invites the public to meet researchers and experience science through debates, shows, science cafés, experiments, and hands-on activities designed to spark dialogue and demonstrate the relevance of research in everyday life. A strong European dimension will be ensured through collaboration with nine other European Researchers’ Night (ERN) projects and a set of joint European activities.Young people aged 6–19 are a key target group. A school programme will offer numerous opportunities for encounters with researchers. ‘Researchers at Schools’ activities will include the established “Borrow a Researcher” concept, through which 15,000 pupils across Sweden will meet a researcher in school or virtually, and a new “Researcher Returns Home” initiative reaching an additional 7,000 pupils in rural areas through in-person visits.Local events will be organised by 9 Partners and 21 External Partners, each building on local strengths and networks to ensure the highest possible impact. Together, event organisers form a national network sharing experience and good practice. VA, which has coordinated ForskarFredag annually since 2006, is responsible for coordination, quality assurance, national identity, awareness campaigns, and impact assessment.FF2026_27 builds on previous years, drawing on experience, partnerships, and an ever-increasing national profile. Overall, the ForskarFredag will engage around 61,500 participants and 1,200 researchers over two years.