New assignment to evaluate national research programs
Please note: This text was translated by AI and has not been reviewed. In case of any uncertainties, the Swedish version applies.
Formas, Forte and the Swedish Research Council have been given a new assignment to evaluate the national research programs established in 2017. The programs have been in place for ten years and are now coming to an end. Formas will coordinate the evaluations and the overall analysis.
The national research programs were a new funding instrument when they were presented in the 2016 Research Bill. The aim was to fund research that helps to address societal challenges. The evaluation will therefore specifically assess the extent to which the programs have contributed to addressing the seven societal challenges included in the 2016 bill.
Of the seven programs, Formas has run the three dealing with climate, sustainable spatial planning and food. Forte has run the programs on working life research and applied welfare research. The Swedish Research Council has been responsible for a program on antibiotic resistance and another on migration and integration.
In a press release, Minister for Science Lotta Edholm (L) says that it is now time to assess how well the various programs have succeeded in achieving their objectives.
Formas, Forte and the Swedish Research Council have been tasked with using a common model for all programs. The evaluation is to result in a qualitative basis for future research policy initiatives and priorities and answer questions about which factors have promoted and which factors have counteracted the achievement of objectives for the various initiatives.
In addition, the evaluation will assess how the programs have met the requirements for scientific quality, interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration, and the extent to which the research results have had an impact on society.
Formas, Forte and the Swedish Research Council must also analyse the way in which the various programmes have complemented other efforts to fund research and innovation, and the way in which the programmes have created synergies between different actors. Finally, a summary analysis shall also provide an overall perspective on the implementation of all the programs. The assignment is to be reported on August 31, 202 and is coordinated by Formas.