GRADE is coordinated via Umeå University and is led by a board where all participating HEIs are represented. The board has also an external representative. The board is responsible for the quality of the graduate school and, together with the head of department and faculties at each institution, the quality of the doctoral dissertations written within GRADE is guaranteed. An international scientific advisory board is linked to GRADE, the function of the advisory board is to support the scientific work within GRADE. The advisory board members also participate as lecturers in courses within their specific areas of expertise, as seminar leaders and external reviewers of the doctoral students’ work, as well as mentors for the doctoral students.