2025-05-222024/25:UbU15 · p.15UbUEducation
Appropriation levels
The size of basic research funding for higher-education institutions
What's at stake: The level of basic funding affects how much free research, independent of external grants, the institutions can conduct on their own.
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 the basic research funding of higher-education institutions should be increased beyond what has already been decided, or whether current funding levels within the existing research-policy goal are sufficient.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the motion for increased basic funding to higher-education institutions, referring to the current research-policy goal, which already establishes that public investment in research and development should continue to exceed the EU's targets and that an overall quality enhancement of research should take place.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 23 (S, V, MP)
The reservation (S, V, MP) considers that research should be free and that the basic funding of higher-education institutions needs to increase, in order to strengthen the position of free research and the long-term conditions of the institutions.
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 23 by S, V, MP.
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 0/18/0/6 | follows the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| S | No | No 0/89/0/17 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | No 0/14/0/4 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| C | No | Yes 21/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| L | No | Yes 11/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 15/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | Yes | Yes 58/0/0/10 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 63/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects motion 2024/25:3217 by Amanda Lind et al. (MP) request 103.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2024/25:3217 av Amanda Lind m.fl. (MP) yrkande 103.
Riksdag decision: The government has presented its research policy for the years 2025–2028. In connection with this, the government also presented a proposal that means the government shall be able to determine rules so that universities can decide that an employment at them can be combined with employment outside the university. The Riksdag approved the government's proposal. Today, combined employment at universities applies only to certain positions such as, for example, specialist-trained doctors and dentists and the government's proposal means that the restriction to certain sectors or positions can be removed. The purpose of the legislative change is to increase the opportunity for knowledge and competence exchange between individual researchers, educational institutions and other sectors of society and thereby strengthen competence supply and competitiveness. The legislative change enters into force on 1 July 2025. The Riksdag also directed a formal declaration (tillkännagivande) to the government regarding the government's announced inquiry into how appropriate the current authority form is for state educational institutions. According to the Riksdag, such an inquiry into changed organizational form should not be conducted. The formal declaration came in response to a proposal in a follow-up motion. The Riksdag rejected the other motions, of which approximately 140 proposals come from the general motion period of 2024.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to maintain research policy sub-targets that emphasize societal impact and regional collaboration. (S, V, MP) — Reservation 23
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 wants to see an expansion of free basic research, emphasizes independent academies without political control and wants to safeguard universities' financing.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to see an expansion of free basic research, emphasizes independent academies without political control and wants to safeguard universities' financing. Increased base grants are the instrument that bears precisely free research's position and educational institutions' long-term conditions. The plan's requirement for large investments in raising the quality of the education system points in the same direction.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill se en utbyggnad av den fria grundforskningen, betonar självständiga akademier utan politisk styrning och vill värna universitetens finansiering. Höjda basanslag är det instrument som bär just den fria forskningens ställning och lärosätenas långsiktiga förutsättningar. Planens krav på stora investeringar i utbildningssystemets kvalitet pekar åt samma håll.
- expanded free basic researchdecisive»utbyggnad av den fria grundforskningen.« (party programme ↗)“expansion of free basic research.”
- safeguard universities' financing»Vänsterpartiet vill värna universitetens oberoende och finansiering och höja studiestödet så att fler kan välja att vidareutbilda sig.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Left Party wants to safeguard universities' independence and financing and raise study allowances so that more can choose to continue their education.”
- independent academies»självständiga akademier utan politisk styrning« (party programme ↗)“independent academies without political control”
- major investments in education»Vi vill göra stora investeringar i att höja kvaliteten i utbildningssystemet.« (party programme ↗)“We want to make major investments in raising the quality of the education system.”
The party programme gives the state a particular responsibility to guarantee research freedom and secure basic research, and requires major efforts for Sweden's position as a knowledge nation.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme gives the state a particular responsibility to guarantee research freedom and secure basic research, and requires major efforts for Sweden's position as a knowledge nation. Increased basic appropriations are the instrument that gives higher education institutions long-term preconditions and strengthens the position of free research. The programme also wants knowledge centres spread throughout the country. The plan therefore supports the counter-proposal's demands.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet ger staten ett särskilt ansvar att garantera forskningens frihet och trygga grundforskningen, och kräver stora insatser för Sveriges ställning som kunskapsnation. Höjda basanslag är det instrument som ger lärosätena långsiktiga förutsättningar och stärker den fria forskningens ställning. Programmet vill också ha kunskapscentra spridda över hela landet. Planen stöder därför motförslagets krav.
- secure basic researchdecisive»ansvar att garantera forskningens frihet och att trygga grundforskningen.« (party programme ↗)“responsibility to guarantee research freedom and to secure basic research.”
- leading knowledge nation»upprätthålla och stärka Sveriges ställning som ledande kunskapsnation krävs stora insatser« (party programme ↗)“maintain and strengthen Sweden's position as a leading knowledge nation requires major efforts”
- major investments in research»Det kräver stora satsningar på utbildning, forskning och kompetensutveckling samt en« (party programme ↗)“It requires major investments in education, research and skills development and a”
- knowledge centres throughout the country»utbyggd infrastruktur och en jämn spridning av kunskapscentra över hela landet.« (party programme ↗)“expanded infrastructure and an even spread of knowledge centres throughout the country.”
The party programme states that research should be free and that non-earmarked research funding is a necessary prerequisite, and that political priorities must not come at the expense of basic research or the freedom of higher education institutions.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme states that research should be free and that non-earmarked research funding is a necessary prerequisite, and that political priorities must not come at the expense of basic research or the freedom of higher education institutions. The allocation of funds should be changed so that quality is ensured for both small and large higher education institutions. Increased base grants follow directly from this.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att forskningen ska vara fri och att icke öronmärkt forskningsfinansiering är en nödvändig förutsättning, samt att politiska prioriteringar inte får gå ut över grundforskningen eller lärosätenas frihet. Medelsfördelningen ska ändras så att kvaliteten säkras för såväl små som stora lärosäten. Höjda basanslag följer direkt av detta.
- non-earmarked base fundingdecisive»Grundforskning och forskningsfinansiering som inte är öronmärkt är nödvändiga förutsättningar för framtida kommersiella genombrott och en framgångsrik spetsforskning.« (party programme ↗)“Basic research and research funding that is not earmarked are necessary prerequisites for future commercial breakthroughs and successful cutting-edge research.”
- protect basic research»Detta får dock inte gå ut över grundforskningen eller universitetens och högskolornas frihet att själva utforma sin verksamhet.« (party programme ↗)“However, this must not come at the expense of basic research or universities' and higher education institutions' freedom to shape their own activities.”
- changed fund allocation»Systemet för medelsfördelning till universitet och högskolor ska förändras och utformas så att det säkrar en hög kvalitet i både utbildning och forskning för såväl små som stora lärosäten.« (party programme ↗)“The system for allocating funds to universities and higher education institutions should be changed and designed so that it ensures high quality in both education and research for both small and large higher education institutions.”
- knowledge nation»Vår ställning som kunskapsnation bygger på en väl utbildad befolkning och på forskning av hög kvalitet.« (party programme ↗)“Our position as a knowledge nation is built on a well-educated population and on research of high quality.”
The party programme requires that free higher education institutions independently can conduct high-quality research, and the election manifesto highlights education as one of the most valuable investments and wants to see world-class research.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme requires that free higher education institutions independently can conduct high-quality research, and the election manifesto highlights education as one of the most valuable investments and wants to see world-class research. Increased base grants strengthen precisely free research's long-term conditions. At the same time the plan requires stewardship of taxpayers' money, and it takes no stance on funding levels, so certainty is low.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet kräver att fria lärosäten självständigt kan bedriva högkvalitativ forskning, och valmanifestet lyfter utbildning som en av de mest värdefulla investeringarna och vill se forskning i världsklass. Höjda basanslag stärker just den fria forskningens långsiktiga förutsättningar. Samtidigt kräver planen hushållning med skattebetalarnas pengar, och den tar inte ställning till anslagsnivåer, varför säkerheten är låg.
- free research at free institutionsdecisive»Högre utbildning och fria lärosäten ska självständigt kunna bedriva högkvalitativ forskning och utbildning.« (party programme ↗)“Higher education and free higher education institutions shall independently be able to conduct high-quality research and education.”
- education as prioritised investment»Få investeringar är lika viktiga och värdefulla för samhället och individen som utbildning, från förskola till universitet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Few investments are as important and valuable for society and the individual as education, from preschool to university.”
- world-class research»Från yrkesvux för den som saknar gymnasieexamen till konkurrenskraftiga universitet och forskning i världsklass.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“From vocational adult education for those lacking upper secondary qualifications to competitive universities and world-class research.”
- stewardship of tax revenue»Politiken ska hushålla med skattebetalarnas pengar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Policy shall manage taxpayers' money.”
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 continued high state research appropriations are necessary and that individual academic freedom shall be a fundamental principle, and the election manifesto explicitly wants to increase research appropriations.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that continued high state research appropriations are necessary and that individual academic freedom shall be a fundamental principle, and the election manifesto explicitly wants to increase research appropriations. Increased base appropriations strengthen precisely educational institutions' long-term conditions and free research. The plan simultaneously requires that appropriations be distributed by quality, but that does not speak against a higher level.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att fortsatt höga statliga forskningsanslag är nödvändiga och att individuell akademisk frihet ska vara en bärande princip, och valmanifestet vill uttryckligen öka forskningsanslagen. Höjda basanslag stärker just lärosätenas långsiktiga förutsättningar och den fria forskningen. Planen kräver samtidigt att anslag fördelas efter kvalitet, men det talar inte emot en högre nivå.
- high research appropriationsdecisive»Fortsatt höga statliga forskningsanslag är nödvändiga.« (party programme ↗)“Continued high state research appropriations are necessary.”
- increased research appropriations»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 want to increase research appropriations and both create better career paths for younger researchers and see targeted initiatives for Swedish universities to be able to attract the world's best researchers.”
- free research»Individuell akademisk frihet ska vara en bärande princip för all offentlig verksamhet inom« (party programme ↗)“Individual academic freedom shall be a fundamental principle for all public activities in”
- quality-based distribution»Forskningsanslagen ska fördelas utifrån kvalitet.« (party programme ↗)“Research appropriations shall be distributed based on quality.”
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 that all subject areas are guaranteed sufficient resources and that economic growth thinking does not dominate allocation, and that there are sufficient resources for high international level.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that all subject areas are guaranteed sufficient resources and that economic growth thinking does not dominate allocation, and that there are sufficient resources for high international level. Increased base grants are the means that give higher education institutions long-term conditions and strengthen free research. That higher education institutions shall have great self-determination against the state points in the same direction.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att alla ämnesområden garanteras tillräckliga resurser och att ekonomiskt tillväxttänkande inte får dominera tilldelningen, samt att det finns tillräckliga resurser för hög internationell nivå. Höjda basanslag är det medel som ger lärosätena långsiktiga förutsättningar och stärker den fria forskningen. Att lärosätena ska ha stort självbestämmande gentemot staten pekar åt samma håll.
- resources for all subject areasdecisive»Alla ämnesområden måste garanteras tillräckliga resurser, därför kan ekonomiskt tillväxttänkande inte dominera tilldelningen av resurser till universitets- och högskoleväsendet.« (party programme ↗)“All subject areas must be guaranteed sufficient resources, therefore economic growth thinking cannot dominate the allocation of resources to universities and colleges.”
- sufficient research resources»För vår välfärd är det viktigt att Sverige ligger långt framme när det gäller forskning och det måste finnas tillräckliga resurser för att vi ska hålla en hög internationell nivå inom området.« (party programme ↗)“For our welfare it is important that Sweden is far ahead when it comes to research and there must be sufficient resources so that we maintain high international level in the field.”
- protection for free basic research»måste ämnesområden där landvinningar inte direkt kan omsättas i materiell tillväxt tillförsäkras goda villkor.« (party programme ↗)“must subject areas where achievements cannot directly be converted to material growth be assured good conditions.”
- higher education institutions' self-determination»Tankens frihet är en förutsättning för framgångsrikt kunskapssökande. Universitet och högskolor ska åtnjuta stort mått av självbestämmande i förhållande till staten.« (party programme ↗)“Freedom of thought is a prerequisite for successful knowledge seeking. Universities and colleges shall enjoy great self-determination 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's commitment on higher education financing is not higher base funding but a resource distribution system where academic quality, throughput and labour market establishment are rewarded to a greater extent.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's commitment on higher education financing is not higher base funding but a resource distribution system where academic quality, throughput and labour market establishment are rewarded to a greater extent. The manifesto also establishes that all new reforms must be financed and that the judicial system, defence and welfare place tough demands on priorities. The plan's support for free research qualifies the conclusion but entails no promise of increased funding.
Original (Swedish)
Planens åtagande om högskolans finansiering är inte högre basanslag utan ett resursfördelningssystem där akademisk kvalitet, genomströmning och etablering premieras i högre utsträckning. Manifestet slår dessutom fast att alla nya reformer måste finansieras och att rättsväsende, försvar och välfärd ställer hårda krav på prioriteringar. Planens stöd för fri forskning kvalificerar slutsatsen men innebär inget löfte om höjda anslag.
- performance-based distributiondecisive»Arbeta för ett resursfördelningssystem till högskolan så att akademisk kvalitet, genomströmning samt etablering på arbetsmarknaden premieras i högre utsträckning« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work towards a resource distribution system for higher education so that academic quality, throughput and labour market establishment are rewarded to a greater extent”
- reforms must be financed»Alla nya löften och reformer – som till exempel våra inkomstskattesänkningar – behöver finansieras eller rymmas inom överskottsmålet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“All new promises and reforms – such as for example our income tax cuts – need to be financed or fit within the surplus target.”
- tough priorities»De stora behoven inom rättsväsendet, försvaret och välfärden ställer stora krav på prioriteringar under åren som kommer.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The major needs within the judicial system, defence and welfare place major demands on priorities in the years to come.”
- free research»Värna den fria forskningen från politiska pekpinnar« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Protect free research from political pressure”
The plan requires that political control of higher education decreases and that the academy's independence increases.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that political control of higher education decreases and that the academy's independence increases. Increased base grants strengthen the position of free research and the institutions' own long-term conditions, which follows that principle. The plan simultaneously wants to review public spending and redirect funds, so the support is derived and weak.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att den politiska styrningen av högre utbildning minskar och att akademins självständighet ökar. Höjda basanslag stärker den fria forskningens ställning och lärosätenas egna långsiktiga förutsättningar, vilket följer den principen. Planen vill samtidigt se över offentliga utgifter och rikta om medel, så stödet är härlett och svagt.
- minskad politisk styrningdecisive»Den politiska styrningen av högre utbildning ska minska och akademins självständighet öka.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Political control of higher education shall decrease and the academy's independence shall increase.”
- akademisk självständighet»Slå vakt om den högre akademins självständighet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Stand guard over the higher academy's independence”
- omprioritering av utgifter»Se över offentliga utgifter och rikta om medel till välfärden och rättsväsendet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Review public spending and redirect funds to welfare and the justice system”
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 (2024/25:UbU15)
- Committee report full text (HC01UbU15)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
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Source: The Swedish Parliament