2026-03-252025/26:UbU13 · p.2UbUEducation
Special research initiatives
Targeted research investments in specific areas, including police research
What's at stake: The decision affects whether research areas raised in the motions, such as police research, get a dedicated investment and clearer academic standing, or continue to compete for funding on the same terms as other research. It concerns, among others, police officers who want to research their own profession, as well as universities and research funders that allocate the money.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether parliament should mandate new, targeted research investments and a dedicated inquiry into, for example, an institute for police science, or whether funding for these research areas should continue to be handled through existing grants, research councils and universities' own priorities.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the calls for new, specific research investments. The reason is that research is already funded in several ways - including through grants to universities, state research funders such as the Swedish Research Council, government agencies, foundations and the EU's Horizon Europe framework programme - and that the government has already presented its research policy for the coming years, with investments in several areas as well as in curiosity-driven research. The committee notes that universities themselves decide how to allocate their grants and that research funders allocate money based on scientific assessment, so parliament should not single out new, specific investments.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 4 (V)
The reservation (V) calls for the government to set up an inquiry into establishing an institute for police science research. The reasoning is that police officers currently lack the opportunity to research the methods and working practices of their own profession on an academic basis, and that a dedicated research discipline - police science - would give police education a clearer academic foundation and strengthen the development of police work.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 4 by V.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/19/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| S | No | Abstain 1/0/91/14 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| MP | No | Abstain 0/0/15/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 17/0/0/7 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| L | Yes | Yes 14/0/0/2 | follows the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 17/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| M | No | Yes 59/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| SD | No | Yes 57/0/0/13 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
Broke with the party line
| SMatilda Ernkrans (S, Örebro län) | Yes — party line: Abstain |
MPs whose vote differs from their party's majority position in this division. Marked with a dark ring in the chamber view.
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2025/26:933 by Jamal El-Haj (-) demand 2, 2025/26:1169 by Anne-Li Sjölund (C), 2025/26:1507 by Jörgen Berglund (M) demand 2, 2025/26:2199 by Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M), 2025/26:2788 by Gudrun Nordborg et al. (V) demand 7, 2025/26:3365 by Camilla Hansén et al. (MP) demand 20, 2025/26:3367 by Mats Berglund et al. (MP) demand 25, 2025/26:3556 by Peter Hultqvist et al. (S) demand 95, 2025/26:3586 by Teresa Carvalho et al. (S) demand 125, 2025/26:3650 by Joakim Järrebring et al. (S) demand 40 and 2025/26:3810 by Anders Ygeman et al. (S) demand 104.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2025/26:933 av Jamal El-Haj (-) yrkande 2, 2025/26:1169 av Anne-Li Sjölund (C), 2025/26:1507 av Jörgen Berglund (M) yrkande 2, 2025/26:2199 av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M), 2025/26:2788 av Gudrun Nordborg m.fl. (V) yrkande 7, 2025/26:3365 av Camilla Hansén m.fl. (MP) yrkande 20, 2025/26:3367 av Mats Berglund m.fl. (MP) yrkande 25, 2025/26:3556 av Peter Hultqvist m.fl. (S) yrkande 95, 2025/26:3586 av Teresa Carvalho m.fl. (S) yrkande 125, 2025/26:3650 av Joakim Järrebring m.fl. (S) yrkande 40 och 2025/26:3810 av Anders Ygeman m.fl. (S) yrkande 104.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag said no to 77 proposals in motions on research from the general motion period 2025. The proposals deal, among other things, with certain overarching research issues and special research initiatives. The Riksdag refers to applicable provisions, measures taken and ongoing work.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to make police science an independent research field and establish an institute for police science research. (V) — Reservation 4
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan holds that the justice system has historical problems that require active and deliberate work, and the election manifesto states that major changes in how the police works are needed to restore confidence.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan holds that the justice system has historical problems that require active and deliberate work, and the election manifesto states that major changes in how the police works are needed to restore confidence. Crime prevention must also be based on research, and the party wants to expand free basic research. An investigation into an institute for police science research aligns with this, but the plan does not identify any specific research areas.
Original (Swedish)
Planen menar att rättsväsendet har historiska problem som kräver ett aktivt och medvetet arbete, och valplattformen slår fast att stora förändringar av hur polisen arbetar krävs för att återupprätta tilltron. Brottsbekämpningen ska dessutom utgå från forskningen, och partiet vill bygga ut den fria grundforskningen. En utredning om ett institut för polisvetenskaplig forskning ligger i linje med detta, men planen pekar inte ut några forskningsområden.
- police work needs to changedecisive»Att återupprätta tilltron till polisen kräver stora förändringar av hur polisen arbetar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“To restore confidence in the police requires major changes in how the police works.”
- justice system's historical problems»Rättsväsendet har historiska problem som kommer ur klassamhället,« (party programme ↗)“The justice system has historical problems that come from class society,”
- research-based crime prevention»Vi vill se ett genomgripande arbete mot våldsbrottslighet, som utgår« (party programme ↗)“We want to see comprehensive work against violent crime, which is based”
- expanded free research»utbyggnad av den fria grundforskningen.« (party programme ↗)“expansion of free basic research.”
The plan requires criminal policy based on evidence, efficiency and due process and a police force with good capability and the right tools, while also wanting to promote free inquiry-based research.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires criminal policy based on evidence, efficiency and due process and a police force with good capability and the right tools, while also wanting to promote free inquiry-based research. An investigation into an institute for police science research is a way to give police methods an academic foundation and thus more evidence-base. The plan does not mention such an institute, so the support is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver en kriminalpolitik byggd på evidens, effektivitet och rättssäkerhet och en poliskår med god förmåga och rätt verktyg, samtidigt som den vill främja fri kunskapssökande forskning. En utredning om ett institut för polisvetenskaplig forskning är ett sätt att ge polisens metoder en akademisk grund och därmed mer evidens. Planen nämner inte ett sådant institut, så stödet är härlett.
- evidence-based criminal policydecisive»Kriminalpolitik byggd på evidens, effektivitet och rättssäkerhet.« (party programme ↗)“Criminal policy based on evidence, efficiency and due process.”
- free basic research»Främjande av en fri kunskapssökande grundforskning.« (party programme ↗)“Promotion of free inquiry-based basic research.”
- academic freedom»Frihet för akademin och forskningen.« (party programme ↗)“Freedom for academia and research.”
- police should have the right tools»Polisen behöver också fler verktyg, som bättre möjligheter till avlyssning och husrannsakan.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The police also need more tools, such as better opportunities for wiretapping and house searches.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants to invest in free and independent research with both breadth and excellence and emphasizes the scientific approach as the foundation for developing society.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to invest in free and independent research with both breadth and excellence and emphasizes the scientific approach as the foundation for developing society. Investigating an institute for police science research gives policing's methods an academic foundation, which aligns with the plan's demand that crime prevention must be effective and preventive. The plan, however, says nothing about police research, so the conclusion is uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill satsa på fri och oberoende forskning med både bredd och spets och betonar det vetenskapliga förhållningssättet som grund för att utveckla samhället. Att utreda ett institut för polisvetenskaplig forskning ger polisens metoder en akademisk grund, vilket ligger i linje med planens krav på att brottsbekämpningen ska vara effektiv och förebyggande. Planen säger dock inget om polisforskning, varför slutsatsen är osäker.
- broad and free researchdecisive»Miljöpartiet vill satsa på fri och oberoende forskning med både bredd och spets.« (party programme ↗)“The Green Party wants to invest in free and independent research with both breadth and excellence.”
- knowledge-based politics»Vetenskap och bildning bidrar till förståelse för vår omvärld och kunskap att utveckla ett hållbart samhälle.« (party programme ↗)“Science and education contribute to understanding of our world and knowledge to develop a sustainable society.”
- effective crime prevention»Polisen och andra brottsbekämpande myndigheter ska ha förmåga att både bekämpa och förebygga brott.« (party programme ↗)“The police and other law enforcement agencies must have the capacity to both combat and prevent crime.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants to give more resources to police, prosecutors, courts and prisons and invest in research and development.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to give more resources to police, prosecutors, courts and prisons and invest in research and development. An investigation into an institute for police science research is an extension of both of these commitments. However, the plan says nothing about police science as a research subject and at the same time values higher education institutions' independent research choices, so certainty is low.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill ge mer resurser till polis, åklagare, domstolar och kriminalvården och satsa på forskning och utveckling. En utredning om ett institut för polisvetenskaplig forskning ligger i förlängningen av båda dessa åtaganden. Planen säger dock inget om polisvetenskap som forskningsämne och värnar samtidigt lärosätenas självständiga forskningsval, varför säkerheten är låg.
- strengthened justice chaindecisive»mer resurser till polis, åklagare, domstolar och kriminalvården och strängare straff« (2022 manifesto ↗)“more resources for police, prosecutors, courts and prisons, and stricter sentences”
- investments in research»satsningar på forskning och utveckling och krafttag mot brott emot företag« (2022 manifesto ↗)“investments in research and development and vigorous action against crime against businesses”
- free research»Högre utbildning och fria lärosäten ska självständigt kunna bedriva högkvalitativ forskning och utbildning.« (party programme ↗)“Higher education and free universities shall independently be able to conduct high-quality research and education.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The party programme establishes that research funding shall be distributed based on quality and that individual academic freedom and the independence of universities are guiding principles.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that research funding shall be distributed based on quality and that individual academic freedom and the independence of universities are guiding principles. Politically pointing out a new institute for a specific research topic goes in the opposite direction from quality-based and independent distribution. The plan wishes to increase research funding, but as general resource strengthening rather than as politically designated initiatives.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att forskningsanslagen ska fördelas utifrån kvalitet och att individuell akademisk frihet och lärosätenas oberoende är bärande principer. Att politiskt peka ut ett nytt institut för ett bestämt forskningsämne går i motsatt riktning mot en kvalitetsstyrd och oberoende fördelning. Planen vill öka forskningsanslagen, men som generell resursförstärkning snarare än som politiskt utpekade satsningar.
- quality-based research distributiondecisive»Forskningsanslagen ska fördelas utifrån kvalitet.« (party programme ↗)“Research funding shall be distributed based on quality.”
- academic freedom»Individuell akademisk frihet ska vara en bärande princip för all offentlig verksamhet inom forskning och högre utbildning.« (party programme ↗)“Individual academic freedom shall be a guiding principle for all public activity in research and higher education.”
- independence of universities»De akademiska lärosätenas oberoende ska värnas« (party programme ↗)“The independence of academic institutions shall be protected”
- increased research funding»Vi vill öka forskningsanslagen och både skapa bättre karriärvägar för yngre forskare och se riktade satsningar på att svenska universitet ska kunna locka hit världens främsta forskare.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We wish to increase research funding and both create better career paths for younger researchers and see targeted initiatives so that Swedish universities can attract the world's leading researchers.”
The election manifesto wants to make the police profession more attractive and professional, and the party programme requires that Sweden be at the forefront in research and that all subject areas be guaranteed sufficient resources.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto wants to make the police profession more attractive and professional, and the party programme requires that Sweden be at the forefront in research and that all subject areas be guaranteed sufficient resources. An investigation into an institute for police science research lies in line with this. The plan values academic institutions' autonomy meanwhile, which makes the conclusion uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet vill göra polisyrket mer attraktivt och professionellt, och partiprogrammet kräver att Sverige ligger i främsta ledet i forskning och att alla ämnesområden garanteras tillräckliga resurser. En utredning om ett institut för polisvetenskaplig forskning ligger i linje med detta. Planen värnar samtidigt lärosätenas självbestämmande, vilket gör slutsatsen osäker.
- strengthened police professiondecisive»Fler poliser och höjda polislöner. Polisyrket behöver bli mer attraktivt för att behålla poliser och attrahera nya.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“More police and raised police salaries. The police profession needs to become more attractive to retain police and attract new officers.”
- research-leading Sweden»Sverige måste därför ligga i främsta ledet när det gäller satsningar på forskning och« (party programme ↗)“Sweden must therefore be at the forefront when it comes to investments in research and”
- resources for all subject areas»Alla ämnesområden måste garanteras tillräckliga resurser« (party programme ↗)“All subject areas must be guaranteed sufficient resources”
- academic institutions' autonomy»ska åtnjuta stort mått av självbestämmande i förhållande till staten« (party programme ↗)“shall enjoy considerable autonomy in relation to the state”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan commits to establishing a national knowledge centre for crime prevention and giving police the right conditions for their work, which shows that the party is prepared to build knowledge support directed at police activity.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan commits to establishing a national knowledge centre for crime prevention and giving police the right conditions for their work, which shows that the party is prepared to build knowledge support directed at police activity. An investigation into an institute for police science research aligns with this. The plan simultaneously values free research from political direction, so the conclusion is uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen åtar sig att inrätta ett nationellt kunskapscentrum för brottsprevention och att ge poliserna rätt förutsättningar i sitt arbete, vilket visar att partiet är berett att bygga upp kunskapsstöd riktat mot polisens verksamhet. En utredning om ett institut för polisvetenskaplig forskning ligger i linje med det. Planen värnar samtidigt fri forskning från politiska pekpinnar, varför slutsatsen är osäker.
- knowledge centre for crime preventiondecisive»Inrätta ett nationellt kunskapscentrum för brottsprevention och ett nationellt avhopparprogram för gängkriminella« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Establish a national knowledge centre for crime prevention and a national exit programme for gang criminals”
- right conditions for police»En viktig del i att göra yrket mer attraktivt är också att se till att poliserna har rätt förutsättningar i sitt arbete.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“An important part of making the profession more attractive is also ensuring that police have the right conditions for their work.”
- more efficient policing»Renodla Polisens uppdrag med fokus på att upptäcka, utreda och klara upp brott« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Clarify the Police's mission with focus on detecting, investigating and solving crime”
- free research»Värna den fria forskningen från politiska pekpinnar« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Safeguard free research from political pressure”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires a significantly strengthened justice system and that the police be given better conditions and tools, and explicitly wants to investigate more ways into the profession and review the content and criteria of police training.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires a significantly strengthened justice system and that the police be given better conditions and tools, and explicitly wants to investigate more ways into the profession and review the content and criteria of police training. An investigation into an institute for police science research lies in that line and strengthens the educational academic foundation. The plan also wants education to respond to real needs.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver ett kraftigt upprustat rättsväsende och att polisen ges bättre förutsättningar och verktyg, och den vill uttryckligen utreda fler vägar in i yrket och se över polisutbildningens innehåll och kriterier. En utredning om ett institut för polisvetenskaplig forskning ligger i den linjen och stärker utbildningens akademiska grund. Planen vill också att utbildning svarar mot verkliga behov.
- investigate police profession developmentdecisive»Fler vägar in i polisyrket behöver också utredas« (2022 manifesto ↗)“More ways into the police profession also need to be investigated”
- strengthened police»Ge polisen förutsättningarna för att bekämpa brottslighet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Give the police the conditions to combat crime”
- strengthened justice system»Säkerställa satsningar för ett kraftigt upprustat rättsväsende« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Ensure investments in a significantly strengthened justice system”
- needs-driven education»Utbilda efter de behov som finns på arbetsmarknaden« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Educate according to the needs that exist on the labour market”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:UbU13)
- Committee report full text (HD01UbU13)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:1169 — Prioritering av forskning om behandling av cytostatikainducerad neuropati av Anne-Li Sjölund (C)
- Motion 2025/26:1251 — Årlig internationell konferens mot forskningsförnekelse av Denis Begic (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1507 — Mittuniversitetet av Jörgen Berglund (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1702 — Förutsättningar för Sveriges fortsatta roll som kunskapsnation av Staffan Eklöf (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:1868 — Utfasning av djurförsök av Ulrika Heindorff (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1903 — Nationell handlingsplan för att nå en djurfri forskning av Magnus Manhammar (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1932 — Avskaffande av Nationella sekretariatet för genusforskning av Jan Ericson och Lars Beckman (båda M)
- Motion 2025/26:1966 — Ändring av lagen om pliktexemplar så att digitalt material omfattas av Maria Stockhaus (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2199 — Tidiga insatser mot cancer av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2207 — Nya rön kring anhörigas betydelse för psykiskt sjukas vårdplaner av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2218 — Fysisk och social aktivitet på recept av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2738 — Plan för att fasa ut djurförsöken inom forskning och utbildning av Jytte Guteland och Sofia Skönnbrink (båda S)
- Motion 2025/26:2785 — Akademisk frihet av Nadja Awad m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2025/26:2788 — Rättsväsendet av Gudrun Nordborg m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2025/26:2817 — En aktiv industri- och landsbygdspolitik av Birger Lahti m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2025/26:2822 — Militärt och civilt försvar samt samhällets krisberedskap av Mikael Larsson m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2025/26:2832 — Digitalisering för hela Sverige av Niels Paarup-Petersen m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2025/26:2834 — Ett jämställt samhälle av Helena Vilhelmsson m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2025/26:2883 — Djurfri forskning och ansvarsfull antibiotikaanvändning av Marléne Lund Kopparklint (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2886 — Stärkt forskning om traumabehandling för personer som fallit offer för sexuella övergrepp av Marléne Lund Kopparklint och Jan Ericson (båda M)
Source: The Swedish Parliament