Sweden, like the rest of the world, faces complex social challenges that significantly affect society's development and threaten the conditions for sustainable development, growth and welfare. Sweden's future competitiveness and ability to solve societal challenges is dependent on excellent research, international collaborations and innovation. This is what the six state research financiers write in a joint submission to the government.
Significantly increased investments in research and innovation are required - in a combination of broad researcher-initiated research and more targeted thematic investments. Strategic investments in cooperation between research, business and the surrounding society are also necessary, as is a special gathering of forces in the areas of: good health and life science, future-proof society, national security and climate change.
- Sweden's long-term competitiveness and prosperity require us to act proactively and forcefully, says Vinnova's director general Darja Isaksson. Together, we propose investments in four areas where excellent research and innovation based on ground-breaking technology and new working methods will be decisive for major changes throughout the world.
Read the entire entry for the government's upcoming research and innovation bill
The proposals in brief
Research and innovation are a drivers for a sustainable and secure society
Powerful strategic investments are required to promote excellent research, increase the competitiveness of business and meet societal challenges. The universities' ability to prioritize and create strong integrated research and innovation environments also needs to be strengthened. We therefore propose an increase in the state's investment in research and innovation that corresponds to at least 1.2 percent of GDP, and that Sweden's total investments in research and development increase to at least 4 percent.
Initiatives for a more efficient research and innovation system
Sweden needs to be able to recruit and retain outstanding researchers. In order for research to be of greater benefit to society and to strengthen the quality of research, more collaboration between researchers and society is needed, and the transition to an open science system is being hastened.
Promote international and European research and innovation cooperation
Sweden's influence over European research and innovation policy must increase. Through powerful investments, increased synergies between national and European investments and international collaborations outside of Europe, we can strengthen Swedish research and innovation.
Research and innovation infrastructure for excellence, competitiveness and innovation
Access to research- and innovation infrastructure is crucial for Sweden to be a leading research and innovation country. Therefore, powerful investments in research infrastructure and space-based research and innovation infrastructure are needed. At the same time, Sweden must meet the need for storage, transfer, calculations and analysis of large amounts of data.
