About VREF

The Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) is a generic term for four independent foundations. For the millennium the Board of VREF has initiated a new research programme to be funded - Future Urban Transport (FUT). The foundations commonly support the programme by providing funds for research and educational projects.

The origins of the foundations

The four foundations supporting the FUT programme operated independently in different research areas before they were united under a common goal. This page gives an overview of their creation and activities before the FUT programme was introduced in 2000.

The Volvo Research Foundation and the Volvo Educational Foundation

The two foundations were established in 1987 with the purpose to promote research and education in areas linked to transport, energy consumption and various industrial endeavours. Cross-disciplinary projects have been prioritised. Over the years about USD 20 million have been allocated in grants to project-areas like:

Reduction and effects of emission from combustion processes
Non linear vibrations
Mechatronics
Employee health and well being
Intelligent traffic systems and traffic safety
Manufacturing systems and information technology

The Dr Pehr G. Gyllenhammar Foundation

The foundation was established in 1997 with the purpose to promote research within the field of trademarks.

The Håkan Frisinger Foundation for Transportation Research

The foundation was established in 1999 with the purpose to promote research within the field of transport, preferably at Chalmers University of Technology in Göteborg, Sweden.

2010