The Foundation

The Stockholm Prize in Criminology Foundation

The purpose of the Stockholm Prize in Criminology Foundation is to promote scientific research in criminology that contributes to:

Greater knowledge of individual and structural causes of crime
A knowledge-based and humane structure for society’s response to crime
Building expertise in crime prevention strategies, within and outside the justice system
Effective strategies for supporting and protecting victims of crime
Effective measures to improve judicial security and combat the global problem of abuse of power and corruption that can occur in the justice system

The Foundation pursues these objectives by funding an annual international award in the field of criminology. The prize is awarded to one or more persons for outstanding achievement in criminological research or in the successful application of criminological research findings to combat crime and promote human rights.

Background information

Edvard Söderberg’s personal commitment was a positive force in the establishment of the award, providing it with a definitive Swedish financial anchor. Mr Söderberg often spoke in favour of making a larger donation to make the prize permanent. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Torsten Söderberg Foundation and as joint Director of both Söderberg Foundations for many years.

The Torsten Söderberg Foundation initially decided to donate SEK 16 million, increasing its donation to SEK 20 million some years later. The Ragnar Söderberg Foundation also made a smaller donation.

Minister of Justice Beatrice Ask and State Secretary Magnus Graner took the lead in advocating for the government’s partial funding of the award. On 19 December 2011, the Parliament approved the government’s proposal to establish the new foundation and to provide a government grant of SEK 14 million.

The Stockholm Prize in Criminology Foundation was formally established at a ceremony held at the centre of Swedish government administration, the Rosenbad building, on 11 May 2012. In a joint declaration by Swedish government, represented by Minister of Justice Beatrice Ask, and the Torsten Söderberg Foundation, represented by Maria Söderberg, this ceremony recognised the final steps ensuring the future of the award.

Bo Svensson, former Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Sweden, was appointed Chairman of the Foundation’s Board. The Board also included Maria Söderberg of the Torsten Söderberg Foundation; Erik Wennerström, Director General of the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention; Kåre Bremer, Vice-Chancellor of Stockholm University; and Ambassador Krister Kumlin (Vice-Chairman).

The Foundation’s Board of Directors

Based on the independent international jury’s proposals, the Foundation’s Board of Directors is responsible for deciding on award winners, prize amounts, and the time and place for announcing the year’s laureate.

The Board is to be comprised of five members, two of whom are appointed by the Swedish government and one by the Torsten Söderberg Foundation. The other two Board members (one of whom serves as Board Chairman and one as Vice-Chairman) are appointed by the other Board members and are independent in relation to the founders. Board members are appointed for two-year terms, which can be extended.

During spring 2025, the Foundation’s Board of Directors was comprised of Attorney Anne Ramberg, Chair; Ambassador Lars Hjalmar Wide, Vice-Chair; Maria Söderberg, Chair of the Torsten Söderberg Foundation; Hans Adolfsson, Vice-Chancellor of Stockholm University; and Jonas Trolle, acting Director General of the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention. Previous Board Chairmen have been Bo Svensson and Sten Hecksher, former Justices of the Supreme Court of Sweden. Stockholm University is responsible for Board administration and co-ordinating the jury’s work.

Founders of the Stockholm Prize in Criminology Foundation

The Foundation was established by the Swedish government and the Torsten Söderberg Foundation.

The Torsten Söderberg Foundation

The Torsten Söderberg Foundation, founded in 1960 by Torsten and Wanja Söderberg and their sons, is dedicated to promoting scientific research and educational programmes in the fields of economics, medicine, and jurisprudence. The Foundation also supports research institutions in other areas, including the humanities. Since the inception of the Stockholm Prize in Criminology, the Foundation has made annual contributions and subsequently ensured the award’s longevity through its initiative and generous donation, which has enabled the continuation and development of the prize.

A donation of SEK 20 million to the Stockholm Prize in Criminology was made by the Torsten Söderberg Foundation in honour of med. Dr h.c. Edvard Söderberg, who took an early interest in the prize’s creation and eventual permanence.

Donors during the prize’s crucial first years

Several donors made generous donations during the prize’s first years. Many of these donors are still very much involved with the prize and the symposium, albeit in different ways.

Jerry Lee Foundation/Jerry Lee Center of Criminology

The Jerry Lee Foundation was founded in 1966 in the United States. Its primary focus is on reducing crime and improving education through research on successful methods for achieving these objectives, and it has been a catalyst for evidence-based improvements in these areas. The Foundation is committed to solving social problems associated with poverty, particularly in American inner-city areas suffering from concentrated poverty. The Foundation’s particular focus is on primary education and crime prevention, and its main strategy is to support research to identify what works, what doesn’t work, and what might work.

Jerry Lee and his associated organisations were instrumental in the creation of the prize, providing early support by pledging annual contributions over a ten-year period. His personal interest in criminology has also given the prize a crucial foundation in the United States and Britain.

Torsten Söderberg Foundation

The Foundation, which was founded in 1960, promotes scientific research and educational programmes in the fields of economics, medicine, and jurisprudence. The Foundation also supports research institutions in other areas, including the humanities. Since the inception of the Stockholm Prize in Criminology, the Foundation has made significant annual contributions. Together with the Swedish government, the Foundation subsequently established and funded the Stockholm Prize in Criminology Foundation to ensure the prize’s longevity.

Ragnar Söderberg Foundation

The Ragnar Söderberg Foundation was founded in 1960 to promote scientific research, education, and studies for the nation’s benefit, with particular focus on economics, medicine, and jurisprudence. The Foundation made significant annual contributions to the prize amount during the prize’s early years and made a smaller donation for the establishment of the Stockholm Prize in Criminology Foundation.

Hitachi Mirai Foundation (now Hitachi Foundation)

The Hitachi Mirai Foundation, founded in 1967, is based in Tokyo and part of the Hitachi Co Group. The Foundation is engaged in a wide range of activities, including the prevention of juvenile crime and delinquency, the improvement of correctional and rehabilitation services for prison inmates and school students with social problems, and the promotion of social understanding and collaboration on issues involving young people. The Foundation made several significant contributions during the prize’s initial years.

Japanese Correctional Association

The Japanese Correctional Association is a member of the International Corrections and Prison Association (ICPA), which is focused on improving global understanding and professionalism in the industry. The organisation made several significant contributions to the prize during its initial years.