According to its statutes, the Academy’s responsibilities are for the humanities in the broadest sense of the term, and should thus be understood to include theology as well as the social sciences, law not excepted. The Academy’s jurisdiction thus corresponds to that of the Scientific Council for Humanities and Social Sciences within the Swedish Research Council. Beside the ordinary university budgets the latter is responsible for all official support to Swedish universities together with The Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation.
This wide field of competence is reflected in the numerous academic subjects represented by the Swedish working members of the Academy, totally about 130 in all. Following a recently established practice a maximum of 60 are below the age of 70. However, only those under the age of 60 are eligible for election as a member. On reaching 70 members retain, of course, their rights and privileges, but the seat is considered to be vacant. The members are divided into two classes, one for history and antiquities, one for philosophy and philology, each with thirty members under 70 years of age. This traditional division of the Academy into two main branches does not, however, prevent the election of members representing other humanistic subjects.
Beside the working members there are a small number of honorary members and a larger number of foreign members, Swedish corresponding members and foreign corresponding members.
