A new reality creates new development needs for international collaboration

The development and changes affect Sweden, which now needs to make strategic choices and investments to stand out in the competition, not least from a geopolitical and geoeconomic perspective.

"The competition for R&I between countries is no longer just about the size of the R&I investments. Nowadays, it is the investments' connections to business and societal development as well as economic security that are in focus," says Göran Marklund, director of strategic analysis at Vinnova.

He emphasizes that other countries are reforming their efforts both strategically and structurally, and at the same time are investing in a large increase in volume.

International collaboration is an important lever for competition and economic security

Research and innovation that takes place in collaboration with other countries can serve as an important lever for Sweden's competitiveness and resilience. International collaboration is also an accelerator for a global sustainable transition. As a small and export-dependent economy, Sweden’s R&I system is strongly affected by global developments.

"Sweden's international collaborations in research and innovation must now be balanced against the increasing competition. It must also be weighed against the investments that other countries are making to secure their economies and interests," says Göran Marklund.

The report “International R&I collaboration in a new reality and with new development needs” describes new policy trends and R&I efforts in other countries. It then addresses the needs that Sweden has as a result of these, and describes concrete steps to develop and strengthen the leverage effect of Swedish R&I efforts from an EU and global perspective.

The government has highlighted internationalisation as one of the central elements of Sweden's future research and innovation policy. The report highlights the new context for Vinnova's future internationalization work, as well as strategic considerations and various proactive working methods that will be important for the agency and for Sweden.