Organisation
The Institute is a foundation, Stiftelsen Bertil Ohlininstitutet, founded in 1993. Bertil Ohlin was leader of the Liberal party of Sweden between 1944 - 1967. In 1977 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics thus combining a successful career as a political leader and as an eminent scholar.

Purpose
The purpose of the Bertil Ohlin Institute is to initiate research and debate in critical areas of public policy in the tradition of liberal thinking.

A liberal think tank
By building networks of scholars, participants in the public debate and persons from private and public working life the institute - as a think tank - contributes to broadening the basis for liberal opinion formation and renewal of liberal thinking.

Independent
The institute is independent of political parties and interest groups, organizationally as well as financially. Its activities are financed through private and corporate contributions as well as project grants from foundations.

International cooperation
The institute seeks international cooperation in order to better approach policy issues of importance for our time. The institute is member of ELF - European Liberal Forum - and is active in the international network of liberal think tanks

Grounded in research
The institute projects should be applied and practically oriented. They should build on scientific approaches which implies close contact with high quality university departments. Four out of the nine chairs of the board are reserved for scholars, mainly in the social fields.