Major government investment in research and innovation

The new research and innovation bill, Research and innovation for the future, curiosity and benefit, includes investments in excellence, with funding for frontier research and top researchers.

In addition, there is funding destined for both basic research and free research, and for important national research infrastructures such as SciLifeLab, MaxIV and the European Spallation Source (ESS). In all, just over SEK 400 million will be invested in research infrastructure up to 2028. The bill places great emphasis on EU cooperation and internationalisation to strengthen Sweden’s growth.

Investments in innovation

The bill also includes initiatives for innovation and commercialisation. In this area, Sweden is at the forefront within the EU and the government is committed to continued efforts to strengthen the innovation system.

“They seem to have understood that basic research is a prerequisite for innovation and applications,” Hagfeldt comments.

The initiatives focus on excellence, internationalisation and innovation. The goal is for Sweden to be an internationally attractive country for investments in research and development.

Excellence clusters for breakthrough technologies

Excellence clusters for breakthrough technologies and a special focus on AI are planned, for example. This includes initiatives in life sciences and health, as well as practice-based research on crime, social services and schools.

How will this affect Uppsala University?

“I have not had time to study the bill in detail and I have not yet seen any figures. But it is pleasing to note the focus on areas where we are strong, such as batteries and materials research. There are also initiatives to address pressing societal challenges, such as research on schools and reading, crime, medicine and health. We are naturally curious about the planned energy research bill.”

Is there anything else you would have liked to see?

“We are very pleased with this action, but we would have liked a larger share of the funding to have gone directly to the higher education institutions. We hope the government will refrain from too much micromanagement.”

Annica Hulth