The PAUSE Scholarship Foundation is the largest Swedish scholarship program in the field of HR and leadership. Its primary aim is to foster personal development and leadership skills among its alumni, while also contributing to the accumulation of knowledge in HR and leadership that can be applied to Swedish international business and other interested parties.

PAUSE stands for Personnel Management Abroad by University Studies and Experience. The idea for PAUSE was first conceived in 1982 by Torsten Lundberg, the Personnel Director of the Tetra Pak group. Torsten was later joined by Arne Baldhagen, a former international human resources manager at Alfa Laval, who equally contributed their own funds to establish the foundation. PAUSE has also received generous sponsorship from prominent Swedish companies such as ABB, AGA, Atlas Copco, Boliden, Investment AB Cardo, Esab, IFL, Ikea, Axel Johnson, Sandvik, SAAB-Scania, SEB, Skandia, SKF, SPP, Stena, Stora, Svedala, Swedish Unilever, Tetra Pak, and Volvo.

Since its inception in 1982, the PAUSE Scholarship Foundation has awarded a total of 47 scholarships. Many of its alumni have gone on to attain leadership positions in Swedish international business, as well as within various organizations and administrative roles. Some have even ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing their own companies and becoming recognized specialists in the field of HR and leadership.