Drastic Change in Research Funding

In the report "Forskningsfinansiering - kvalitet och relevans" ("Research Funding - Quality and Relevance") Government Special Commissioner Madelene Sandström,  who is currently Director General of the Swedish Defence Research Agency, suggests a complete restructuring of governmental authorities that provide research funding.

Sandström's inquiry highlights a lack of connection and cooperation between existing governmental authorities such as the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research, the Swedish Research Council Formas, the Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems, as well as organizations focused on other research areas such as the Swedish National Space Board, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat.

One Single Authority

Sandström suggests replacing the existing authorities with one single authority, "Forksnings- och innovationsmyndigheten" (The Resesarch and Innovation Authority). It would be composed of four councils. The first focused on nature, technology and innovation, the second on medicine and health, the third on climate, environment and agriculture, and the fourth council would focus on society and culture. All finances currently processed through the various authorities would instead be allocated by this one single authority, which would work to further research generally. Each council would provide support for basic research, research environments, interdisciplinary programs, industry development, etc. Providing finances through a single system would also serve the purpose of strengthening the connection between basic and applied research, by promoting opportunities to join together basic research environments with researchers and groups dealing with needs-based issues.

Read the full report here (in Swedish)

Source: Biotech Scandinavia, 20.03.2008