Icelandic Student Innovation Fund

The fund is governed by a five-member board with representatives from the following bodies:

• The Science Committee of the Science and Technology Policy Council (Vísindanefnd Vísinda- og tækniráðs)

• The Federation of Icelandic Industries (Samtök iðnaðarins)

• The National Union of Icelandic Students (Landssamtök íslenskra stúdenta)

• The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland (Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga)

• The fifth board member is appointed without nomination and serves as chair of the board.

Board of the Student Innovation Fund

The current board of the Student Innovation Fund is appointed for the period March 1, 2023 – March 31, 2026.

Principal members:

• Björgvin Stefán Pétursson, Chair, appointed without nomination

• Sævar Helgi Bragason, nominated by the Science Committee of the Science and Technology Policy Council (Vísindanefnd Vísinda- og tækniráðs)

• Ásdís Jóhannesdóttir, nominated by the Federation of Icelandic Industries (Samtök iðnaðarins)

• Alexandra Briem, nominated by the Association of Local Authorities in Iceland (Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga)

• Erla Guðbjörg Hallgrímsdóttir, nominated by the National Union of Icelandic Students (Landssamtök íslenskra stúdenta)

Alternate members:

• Sesselja Ingibjörg Barðdal Reynisdóttir, Vice Chair, appointed without nomination

• Þóra Pétursdóttir, nominated by the Science Committee of the Science and Technology Policy Council (Vísindanefnd Vísinda- og tækniráðs)

• Karl Birgir Björnsson, nominated by the Federation of Icelandic Industries (Samtök iðnaðarins)

• Kristinn Jón Ólafsson, nominated by the Association of Local Authorities in Iceland (Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga)

• Jónas Már Torfason, nominated by the National Union of Icelandic Students (Landssamtök íslenskra stúdenta)

Expert Councils

Six expert councils review the applications each grant year. Applicants select the council in which they wish their applications to be assessed. Rannís staff may recommend a different council than the one chosen by the applicant, if there are substantive grounds. Applications will not be transferred between councils without the consent of the chair of the councils.

Life Sciences, Clinical Research, and Public Health

• Guðjón Gunnarsson, Food Scientist, Food Safety Auditor, EFTA Surveillance Authority

• Sóley Valgeirsdóttir, B.Sc. Biochemistry, M.Sc. Life and Medical Sciences, Clinical Research Specialist, Vistor

• Sveinn Rúnar Sigurðsson, Dr. Med., Physician & CEO, KOT Hugbúnaður ehf.

• Guðrún Magnúsdóttir, Nurse and Public Health Specialist, Public Health Officer, Reykjanesbær

• Guðmundur Þórðarsson, PhD Marine Biology, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries

Engineering and Technology

• Anna Hulda Ólafsdóttir, Industrial Engineer, Icelandic Meteorological Office

• Dagný Jónsdóttir, Innovation Manager, Landsvirkjun

• Einar Jón Ásbjörnsson, Engineer, Ph.D., Specialist, Landsvirkjun

• Guðbjörn Jensson, M.Sc. Industrial Engineering, University of Iceland, Head of Air Navigation, Icelandic Transport Authority

• Guðný Lára Guðmundsdóttir, M.Sc. Software Engineering, HR University, Programmer & Solutions Architect, Annata

• Guðrún Eydís Jónsdóttir, M.Sc. Software Engineering, Software Specialist, exMon Software

• Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir, R&D Director, Orkídea

• Jóhanna Ásta Vilhjálmsdóttir, B.Sc. Industrial Engineering, HR University, Head of Discipline – Construction Management, Cowi

• Jóhanna Þórunn Ásgrímsdóttir, Industrial Engineer, Mannvit

• Klemenz Hrafn Kristjánsson, Senior Developer, Beedle

• Rúnar Unnþórsson, Professor of Engineering, University of Iceland; Head, Departments of Industrial, Mechanical, and Computer Engineering

• Stefán Þór Björnsson, MSc Corporate Finance, University of Iceland; Co-Founder, Solid Clouds

• Sæmundur Elíasson, Ph.D. Industrial Engineering, University of Iceland; Project Manager, Matis

• Yngvi Eiríksson, M.Sc. Industrial Engineering, Data Specialist, Statistics Iceland

Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• Gissur Örlygsson, Dr.rer.nat. Chemist, Project Manager, Tæknisetur ehf.

• Jón Steinar Garðarsson Mýrdal, Ph.D. Physics, Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

• Alma Stéfánsdóttir, M.Sc. Environmental Engineering, DTU; Geothermal Specialist, Landsvirkjun

Natural Sciences

• Baldur Brynjarsson, Chemical Engineer, Reykjavik Energy

• Lilja Gunnarsdóttir, M.Sc. Biologist, Phycologist, Marine Research Institute; PhD Student, University of Iceland

• M. Auður Sigurbjörnsdóttir, Ph.D. Biologist, Lecturer, School of Natural Resources, University of Akureyri

• Pawel Wasowicz, Ph.D. Grassland Scientist, Icelandic Institute of Natural History

• Sigríður Kristjánsdóttir, Ph.D. Urban Planner, Associate Professor and Department Head, Iceland University of the Arts

• Sigríður Kristjánsdóttir, Natural Disaster Specialist, Icelandic Meteorological Office

Humanities and Arts

• Ásthildur B. Jónsdóttir, Ph.D. Pedagogy, D.Arts., Independent Scholar & Project Manager, School and Leisure Services, Reykjavik

• Ásgeir Berg Matthíasson, Philosopher, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Philosophy, University of Iceland

• Ellen Gunnarsdóttir, B.A. History, Ph.D. Mexican History

• Elín Þórhallsdóttir, MSc Marketing and International Business, University of Iceland; Project Manager for Academic Development Research, Lhí

• Fjóla Dögg Sverrisdóttir, B.Sc. Business, Project Manager M.P.M, Director, Reykjavik Arts Festival

• Helga Maureen, Head of Media, Museum Education and Events, Reykjavik City Museum

• Henry Alexander Henrysson, Philosopher

• Margrét Hrönn Hallmundsdóttir, Archaeologist, Head of Archaeology Department, Westfjords Nature Centre

• Ragnheiður Gló Gylfadóttir, Archaeologist, Icelandic Archaeological Institute

Social Sciences, Law, and Education

• Andrew Britten-Kelly, Business Administrator, Communications Manager, Landsbanki Íslands

• Anna María Gunnarsdóttir, M.Ed., Secondary Education, Vice Chair, Icelandic Teachers’ Union

• Auður Lind Aðalsteinsdóttir, Business Administration, MSc Corporate Finance, MSc International Business, Finance Department, Landspítali

• Einar Örn Ævarsson, Leadership and Corporate Finance, CEO, Xpat

• Helena Konráðsdóttir, M.S. Human Resource Management

• Ingvar Freyr Ingvarsson, Economist M.Sc., Samorka

• Kolfinna Lína Kristínardóttir, M.A. Applied Cultural Mediation, Employment Consultant, Association of Municipalities in Northwestern Iceland

• Ólöf Lovísa Jóhannesdóttir, Economist, MSc Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, Innovation Advisor

• Pálmi Rögnvaldsson, Lawyer, Landsbankinn hf.

• Sólborg Jónsdóttir, Project and Business Manager, Mímir

• Stefanía G. Kristinsdóttir, MBA/Pedagogy, Owner, Einurðar ehf.

• Steinunn Bergmann, Chair, Icelandic Association of Social Workers