Higher education, research and space

Poland, which holds the EU presidency in the spring of 2025, has invited Minister for Education Johan Pehrson and his counterparts in other EU countries to an informal meeting of the Competitiveness Council (COMPET). The meeting will take place on March 10-11.

Minister for Education Johan Pehrson has now presented the Government’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) strategy. The strategy contains objectives to strengthen STEM education in Sweden. A new STEM delegation will also work to get more people studying in those fields.

Sweden’s national life sciences strategy serves as a long-range framework, and the strategy’s eight priority areas remain the starting point for this update of the previous strategy from 2019.

Sweden aims to be one of the world’s leading countries in research and innovation. In the research and innovation bill, the Government is investing SEK 6.5 billion on research and innovation of the highest quality. Investments include funding for excellent research, increased and competitive funding for higher education institutions, enhanced research infrastructure and investments in groundbreaking technologies to position Sweden at the forefront.

European research and innovation collaborations contribute to maintaining and strengthening European values for a free, open, and value-based market economy. In today’s geopolitically challenging situation, it is important that the EU’s long-term competitiveness and openness are at the core of an open strategic autonomy. European research and innovation collaboration is of great importance for Swedish universities, industry, institutes, public sector entities, and other stakeholders. The Swedish position paper aims to present key principles that Sweden believes need to be safeguarded or improved in the development of the next framework program for research and innovation to serve the development, competitiveness, and prosperity of all of Europe.

On April 16 Minister for Education Mats Persson signed the Artemis Accords, a set of principles for exploration and conduct in space. During the ceremony NASA Administrator Bill Nelson delivered the following video remarks.

To improve the conditions for cooperation between Swedish and American universities, research institutions and businesses on research, innovation and education, Vinnova and the Swedish Research Council have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding with the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the United States of America.

Speech by Minister for Education Mats Persson at the signing of the Artemis Accords, 16 April 2024. Check against delivery.

Today, Minister for Education Mats Persson signed the Artemis Accords, a set of principles for exploration and conduct in space. This also enables Sweden to take part in the international US-led Artemis campaign.

An inquiry has been tasked with proposing measures to improve the prospects of attracting and retaining foreign doctoral students and researchers in Sweden. The aim is to strengthen Sweden’s competitiveness as a research and innovation nation. The inquiry will also review the regulatory framework for residence permits for studies, with the aim of counteracting abuse of study permits.

The shortage of workers with sought-after skills is one of the main obstacles to growth for companies in Sweden and has also become an obstacle to regional development. In light of this, the Government is allocating SEK 25 million in 2024 to strengthen coordination of the ongoing efforts of eleven government agencies linked to attracting and retaining international expertise.

The strategy for Sweden’s trade, investment and global competitiveness was presented on 1 December 2023.

The Government is looking to advance Sweden’s position in the space sector, and overnight Marcus Wandt became the third Swede in space. Following a successful launch from Florida, he began his journey to the International Space Station.

Minister for Education Mats Persson is visiting the United States on 15–20 January to attend the launch of a mission involving Sweden’s latest astronaut, Marcus Wandt. Mr Persson will also visit New York for meetings and study visits with a focus on STEM education and research, technology and AI.

The Government has adopted a new trade strategy, with the objective of giving Swedish businesses the best possible conditions to both address emerging challenges and of harness business opportunities that arise in the green and digital transition.

The Swedish Government has adopted an updated strategy to combat antibiotic resistance (AMR). The overarching goal continues to be preserving the possibility of effective treatment of bacterial infections in humans and animals. The strategy will apply until the end of 2025.

In light of international developments, the Government will increase its support to the University of Gothenburg which, via the Segerstedt Institute, spreads knowledge of working methods to combat antisemitism. This year, the Government will provide another SEK 1 million, and it intends to provide another SEK 3 million to support these efforts in 2024.

The education sector in Ukraine has been severely affected by Russia’s full-scale invasion. Since February 2022, more than 3 000 preschools, schools and other educational establishments have been damaged, and 360 have been completely destroyed. Sweden is now providing SEK 75 million to the UNESCO Emergency Fund. The Fund is, among other things, supporting renovation and reconstruction of damaged and destroyed shelters in preschools and schools.

On 26–27 September, Minister for Education Mats Persson and Minister for Schools Lotta Edholm will visit London, where they will meet with their British counterparts. The visit is an opportunity for Sweden and the United Kingdom to exchange knowledge about education issues and strengthen relations between the two countries.

Research and innovation promote progress in the energy sector. Minister for Education Mats Persson today signed an implementation agreement for energy research cooperation with the United States. The agreement was signed in the Reactor Hall at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, where research reactor R1 – Sweden’s first nuclear reactor – contributed to research between 1954 and 1970.