Research must benefit society, promote sustainability
Sweden is planning to launch an SEK100 million (US$12 million) research programme on viruses and pandemics, it has been announced, as the government launched its proposed new bill on research and innovation.
The new law will make it a requirement rather than a recommendation that knowledge and competence gained at higher education institutions must benefit society and that universities must promote sustainable development.
In addition to strengthening societal collaboration and internationalisation, the bill will strengthen support for ‘freely initiated’ or basic research.
Minister of Higher Education Matilda Ernkrans and Minister of Enterprise and Innovation Ibrahim Baylan presented the government research bill 2021-24, ‘Research, freedom, future knowledge and innovation for Sweden’, on 17 December.