Minister on the upcoming Research and Innovation Bill 2024: “A powerful step up”

At the end of 2024, the Research and Innovation Bill will be presented, which will form the basis for the government’s policy on research, innovation and higher education for the next four years. What can we expect? Esbri asks the responsible minister Johan Pehrson (L) who is leading the Ministry of Education’s work on the bill.

What are the main major initiatives proposed in the Research and Innovation Bill?

– The government has presented a historically large research bill, which is not least a powerful increase in level compared to the last research and innovation bill.

– The details of these initiatives will be presented in the Research and Innovation Bill to be presented later this fall. The focus of this bill is on the best research, cutting-edge research, and research and innovation in breakthrough technologies.

The Fofin inquiry proposed a new government structure for funding research and innovation. Will the proposal be reflected in the upcoming research bill?

– The report’s proposals have been submitted for consultation and the government is preparing the proposals.

What do you hope to achieve with the research bill?

– Research and innovation of the highest quality is a crucial prerequisite for Sweden to remain a leading welfare and knowledge nation. It is an investment in the future to strengthen Sweden’s position in an increasingly global competition. Therefore, the best research will be in focus, where research infrastructure, excellent research and groundbreaking technology are prioritized.

What is the impact of the bill on the innovation and entrepreneurship climate in Sweden?

– Sweden must be at the forefront of engineering. Other countries are investing more and more in research, and future research investments are therefore necessary if Sweden is to continue to be an attractive country for new knowledge and international expertise. A strong research sector is what attracts international expertise and is crucial for the very best to choose Sweden.

Read voices on the upcoming Research and Innovation Bill:

Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn, Professor of Informatics and Vice-Chancellor at Luleå University of Technology

Eugenia Perez Vico, Associate Professor of Innovation Science and Research Policy Expert, Halmstad University

Mats Benner, Professor of Research Policy at Lund University